Autoesque

Mercedes-Benz looks to be taking its A-Class in a totally different direction. The Concept A-Class, which will be unveiled at this month’s Auto Shanghai show, eschews the tall, short mini-MPV shape of the previous two A-Class generations for an altogether more dynamic appearance. A low stance and long bonnet completely change the proportions, while the complex swage lines along the side and the front-end styling echo the CLS. It certainly looks very different, and the more conventional body could allow the entry level Mercedes-Benz to take sales from its BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 competitors. As with most show cars, there are plenty of features on the Concept A-Class that are unlikely to make it into production. The dashboard treatment is a prime example, as it has a stretchable and translucent textile covering, which apparently ‘enables the bionic, cellular structure of the component to remain visible’… The Concept A-Class retains a front-wheel drive configuration, with power co...

Chevrolet is celebrating its 100th anniversary by launching the 2012 Centennial Edition Corvette. Essentially an appearance package, it will be available on all current Corvette variants, including the ZR1. Distinguishing the Centennial Edition is Carbon Flash Metallic paintwork, satin black aluminium wheels (19” front / 20” rear for the Z06 and ZR1-based versions, 18” front / 19” rear for everything else), red brake callipers, satin black graphics and a unique Corvette badge. Magnetic Selective Ride Control is also included in the specification. The black colour theme continues on the inside, where the instrument panel and doors are covered in Ebony leather, and the seats are upholstered in the same leather with suede micro-fibre inserts. Completing the look is plenty of red stitching and embossed centennial logos on the headrests. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette will be available in dealers this summer. Before that though,...

UK car sales in the first quarter of 2011 fell 8.7% to 558,336, according to figures released by the SMMT . With the fleet and business segments showing slight increases on 2010, the decline was due to 57,769 fewer private registrations. However, given the scrappage scheme that was running last year, such a drop was expected. Probably reflecting those reduced private sales, the proportion of petrol-powered cars dipped to just over 50%. Consequently, average new car CO2 emissions were 140.3g/km, a 3.4% reduction compared to 2010. The Ford Fiesta retained its position as the most popular car in the UK. Further down the chart, a D segment model from a mainstream manufacturer actually managed to outsell the ubiquitous 3 Series, with the Vauxhall Insignia achieving 11,904 registrations compared to the BMW’s 10,141. Top 10: UK Car Sales Q1 2011 Position Manufacturer Model Registrations 1 Ford Fiesta 27,924 2 Ford Focus 24,435 3 Vauxhall Corsa 20,536 ...

Ford has announced that the 2012 Focus ECOnetic is expected to achieve 80 mpg (3.5 l/100km), while producing just 95 g/km of carbon dioxide. That would be good enough to make it a viable alternative to hybrids such as the Toyota Prius, which currently manages 72.4 mpg (3.9 l/100km) on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 89 g/km. Power for the Ford will come from a specially developed version of the 1.6 litre Duratorq TDCi diesel. With an output of 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), it gets a new turbocharger, a revised fuel injection system and a water-cooled intercooler instead of an air-to-air item. The engine’s internals have also been modified to minimise friction. Alongside the fuel-saving measures common across the rest of the new Focus range - stop/start system, gear shift indicator, regenerative battery charging and Eco Mode driver information system - the ECOnetic additionally benefits from a revised final drive ratio with raised gearing and low rolling resistance tyres. T...

The 2011 WRX STI hasn’t been around for long, but already Subaru is tempting potential buyers in the UK with a no-cost upgrade package. Enhancements to the 2.5 litre boxer engine lift power from 295 bhp (220 kW / 300 PS) to 315 bhp (235 kW / 320 PS), while maximum torque rises by a useful 43 Nm (31 lb/ft) to 450 Nm (331 lb/ft) at 3,400 rpm. As a result, the car’s zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 5.2 to 4.9 seconds. There’s no word on whether top speed, fuel consumption or emissions are affected. Also included in the deal is a Pioneer satellite navigation unit which features Bluetooth, a touch screen and an MP3 player connection. The WRX STI upgrade offer runs from the beginning of April until the end of June, and applies to the hatch and saloon models. Both cost £32,995 on the road but, unless you like red or white paint, £460 will have to be added to that amount for a metallic finish. Regardless of colour choices, that seems like good value. However, anyone wanting...

Daftest model name of the year (so far) must be the Jeep Wrangler ‘Pork Chop’. Built in collaboration with Mopar, it’s a customised special that’ll first appear at the upcoming Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Six such models are set to be unveiled, although for now only two have been revealed - the other being the much more sensibly titled ‘Renegade’. Can’t wait to see what other weird monikers Jeep comes up with for the remaining four… Related post: Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty

BMW has revealed the 2012 M5 - albeit in ‘concept’ form - ahead of its debut at this month’s Shanghai motor show. Performance figures have yet to be released, although BMW has confirmed that the V10 engine of the previous generation E60 M5 has been ditched in favour of a twin-turbo V8 for the new F10 model. This is expected to be an adapted version of the 4.4 litre unit already seen in the X5 M and X6 M, and BMW is promising increased power combined with a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Drive to the rear wheels will be via a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission, while a specially calibrated active differential has been engineered to minimise wheel spin and maximise traction. Visually, all of the usual M5 styling cues are present. These include subtly widened wheel arches housing bespoke 20” forged alloy wheels, neat front wing gills and reworked front and rear aprons that are designed to aid both cooling and aerodynamics. The interior remains a mystery...

Kia has revealed its Naimo (pronounced neh-mo) electric concept car at the Seoul Motor Show. Powered by a motor producing 107 bhp (80 kW / 109 PS) and 280 Nm of torque, it’s claimed that the Naimo will achieve a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). Not bad outright performance, but the more relevant issue for any electric vehicle is always going to be how far it can travel before running out of juice. Thanks to a 27 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack, which is housed under the boot floor, the Kia should be good for a range of around 124 miles (200 km). By comparison, that’s slightly more than a Nissan Leaf manages. Recharging time is another area that has clearly received plenty of attention, because the result is that the Naimo’s battery can be restored to 80 percent of its capacity in a reasonable 25 minutes. A full recharge would take five and a half hours, though. Promising figures then, but the disappointing news is that this particular concept isn’t going to make it to pr...

Intercontinental Le Mans Cup organiser, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest , has now confirmed that the Zhuhai International Circuit will host the Chinese round of the series. Built in 1996, Zhuhai is in Guangdong Province close to Hong Kong and Macao. Perhaps the choice of venue isn’t too much of a surprise considering it was the location for the final event in last year’s inaugural ILMC. However, it seems that there was impressively stiff competition from Shanghai this time around - so much so that the ACO is now talking about having two Chinese races in 2012. Meanwhile, the Spa-Francorchamps 6 Hours race will now take place on Saturday 7th May, not Sunday 8th May as previously advised. Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011 Round Event Country Date 1 Sebring 12 Hours USA 19th March 2 Spa-Francorchamps 6 Hours Belgium 7th May 3 Le Mans 24 Hours France 11th - 12th June 4 Imola 6 Hours Italy 3rd July 5 Silverstone 6 Hours UK 11th September 6 Peti...

Hyundai has unveiled the Blue2 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle at the Seoul Motor Show. Powered by hydrogen, the Blue2 (say it ‘Blue Square’ not ‘Blue Two’, apparently) is a mid-size saloon that generates 120 bhp (90 kW / 122 PS). That name is an amalgamation of ‘Blue Drive’ - Hyundai’s eco sub-brand - and H2, the chemical symbol for hydrogen. Other features on the Blue2 are pure show car, and include cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, a transparent organic LED screen in place of a conventional instrument binnacle, and an automatic door opening system. It’s not known whether the Blue2 is going to lead to a production version, or if the design language will transfer across to future models. Dubbed ‘Intersected Flow’, Hyundai claims it’s innovative and dynamic, although it seems to borrow elements such as the Saab 9-5’s glasshouse and the Vauxhall / Opel Ampera’s headlight treatment.

Jaguar’s XF saloon will soon be getting a 2.2 litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, a crucial addition to the range that should help steal further sales from its competitors. Connected to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, the longitudinally mounted 187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS) motor is claimed to be good for a 0-62 mph (100km/h) time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). The car’s target customers - especially fleet users - are probably going to be more concerned about efficiency rather than performance, though. And they shouldn’t be disappointed, because the XF will manage 52.3 mpg (5.4 l/100km) on the combined cycle while producing 149 g/km of CO2. Fuel saving devices include an intelligent stop-start system, which has been engineered to reduce the time taken during the shut-down and start-up phases, and high seventh and eighth gear ratios that effectively act as an overdrive facility. But how does the new Jaguar compare to some of its diesel rivals? Well, judg...

Updated versions of the Triumph Street Triple and Street Triple R are on their way. Changes to the middleweight streetfighter are purely cosmetic, with the most obvious being the new headlights. Aping those already seen on the larger Speed Triple , the move away from circular units is bound to divide opinion. To go with the new lighting are new handlebar clamps and revised instruments, while various components are now finished in brushed steel to add to a de-chromed look. Both versions will feature aluminium handlebars, which previously were only standard on the R spec bike. Mechanically things remain unaltered, which means the same 675 cc three-cylinder engine as before producing 105 bhp (78 kW / 106PS) and 68 Nm (50 lb/ft) of torque. The standard model will be available in white, black or - for the more daring - purple, with a price tag in the UK of £6,649. Alternatively, the higher specification R is going to cost £7,349, and buyers will get a choice of white, black or r...

Pirelli, sole Formula 1 tyre supplier for the next three seasons, is colour-coding the ‘Pirelli’ and ‘PZero’ sidewall logos so that spectators can determine what compounds are being used. The colours chosen are: · Wet – Orange · Intermediate – Light blue · Supersoft – Red · Soft – Yellow · Medium – White · Hard – Silver At first sight, it appears that it’s going to be difficult to tell some of the types apart, with silver and white in particular being hard to distinguish. However, the rules stipulate that only two compounds of dry weather tyre can be used at each round, designated ‘prime’ and ‘option’. Pirelli’s cunning plan is that there will always be at least one step between the different tyre specifications on offer. So, that means all the teams will have a combination of either Medium (white) and Supersoft (red) rubber available to them, or - as is the case for the three opening events in Australia, Malaysia and China - Hard (silver) and Soft (yellow). That ploy sh...

The two Toyota Avensis racers that’ll be competing in the 2011 British Touring Car Championship have been shown off for the first time. Both were built by GPR Motorsport in accordance with the new Next Generation Touring Car regulations. Series organisers have introduced these to help keep costs down, primarily through the use of standardised components and robust two-litre turbocharged engines developing around 300 bhp (223 kW / 304 PS). Car #11 will be run by Dynojet Racing for driver Frank Wrathall, the reigning Ginetta G50 Cup champion. However, as his Avensis hasn’t done any test miles yet, the team faces a challenge to get everything fettled before the first race on the 3rd of April at Brands Hatch. Speedworks Motorsport meanwhile is looking after the #50 Avensis of Tony Hughes, another ex-Ginetta competitor. Although his pre-season preparations are a little more advanced, teething problems such as fuel and power steering pump failures have slowed progress. Related post...

Silverline Chevrolet, the works outfit run by RML, has unveiled its new livery for the 2011 British Touring Car Championship. The new paintjob is similar to that also being used on the team’s WTCC contenders. While some BTCC competitors are going to be fielding cars compliant with the new Next Generation Touring Car regulations, the Cruze racers remain in Super 2000 specification for this season. Behind the wheel of the #1 Chevrolet will be reigning driver’s champion Jason Plato, who has decided to stay with the team to defend his title. Completing the unchanged driver line-up is team mate Alex MacDowall in the #20 car. Images © GM Corp. Related post: 2011 BTCC entries

2011 will see the biggest grid ever for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship since it switched to a two-litre formula. Despite the presence of only two full factory teams - Silverline Chevrolet and Honda Racing Team - ten manufacturers will be represented this season, including newcomers Audi, Proton and Toyota. The boosted entry list is mainly down to the introduction of the Next Generation Touring Car technical regulations, which have been brought in to slash car development and running costs. Most of those savings will be achieved through the use of standardised parts including brakes, suspension and gearboxes. Using durable two-litre turbocharged engines in the NGTCs should help make the BTCC more affordable, too. This year starts a period of transition, with the intention being that existing Super 2000-spec cars should have equal performance to the NGTC entries for the next two seasons, after which the latter will become dominant. Team Aon Ford Focus: S2000 cha...

The one pence reduction in fuel duty announced in today’s UK Budget won’t be enough to stop lots of car buyers searching out the most fuel efficient offerings. For many, that will automatically mean a diesel or a hybrid, simply because those technologies deliver the best miles per gallon. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that those types of car will appeal to everyone. For starters, they tend to cost more, which is enough to put off some. Combine that with the higher price of diesel, and it often means that mega miles have to be driven before the extra initial outlay is offset by better fuel economy. So, for some drivers it will still make financial sense to go for a petrol-powered car. According to the Vehicle Certification Agency , these are the ten models currently on sale that use the least petrol (based on the combined cycle measure). Most fuel efficient petrol-powered car: The Fiat 500 / 500C TwinAir with Dualogic transmission. The good news is that all will better 6...