Autoesque

To celebrate a decade of its association with tuning specialist Brabus, Smart is launching a special edition model. Named, perhaps predictably, the Smart fortwo Brabus 10th Anniversary, production will be limited to merely 100 units. On the outside, just about everything is painted in Liquid Silver, while the ‘Monoblock VII’ alloy wheels have a matt grey finish. Completing the exterior look are red Brabus logos, LED daytime running lights and titanium-coloured headlamps. Inside the cabin, the seats’ black leather upholstery is complemented by a ‘10th anniversary’ script on the side bolsters, embroidered Brabus logos on the head restraints and red piping that matches various interior trim pieces. As a final touch, a plaque showing the build number is attached to the dashboard. Like the regular fortwo Brabus, power comes from a turbocharged 999 cc engine that produces 101 bhp (75 kW / 102 PS) - good enough for a zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of 8.9 seconds and a top speed ...

Honda has signed up Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro to drive its new European-spec Civic race cars in the 2013 FIA World Touring Car Championship. Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro Of course, Tarquini is a hugely experienced and successful saloon car racer, having won the 1994 British Touring Car Championship, the 2003 European Touring Car Championship and the 2009 WTCC drivers’ titles. The move to Honda reunites the two drivers as team-mates, as both previously drove for Seat Sport in the WTCC. Monteiro joined the Spanish outfit in 2007, just after his Formula One career had drawn to a close. Development of the WTCC Civic has been entrusted to J.A.S. Motorsport, while the 1.6 litre turbocharged engine is being built by Honda with input from Mugen. As part of the programme, a single car is going to compete at this year’s last three rounds with Tiago Monteiro behind the wheel. Although Honda certainly faces a big challenge in 2013, Chevrolet’s withdrawal from the...

The Alfa Romeo MiTo supermini is now available with the innovative two-cylinder TwinAir petrol engine. Although its capacity is only 875 cc, a turbocharger and the MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve control system mean it produces a respectable 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS) and 145 Nm (103 lb/ft) of torque. Performance might not be scintillating - the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint takes 12.5 seconds and maximum speed is 108 mph (173 km/h) - but the TwinAir’s trump card is efficiency. Carbon dioxide emissions are only 98 g/km, a level that brings numerous benefits for UK drivers including zero road tax, a full discount on the London Congestion Charge and qualification for the lowest company car benefit-in-kind rate. Fuel economy is also decent and, according to the official figures, a TwinAir-powered MiTo will manage 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km) on the combined cycle. Impressive maybe, but still some way off the 78.5 mpg (3.6 l/100km) of the existing 1.3 JTDM-2 diesel MiTo. However, any ...

The new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is one of those multi-talented vehicles that could easily do the jobs of several. For a start, the body style will appeal to those who aren’t sure whether they want a four-door saloon, a coupé or an estate, while the drivetrain takes care of any sports car desires. Okay, it’s going to be useless off-road, five passengers is strictly the limit, and snowy conditions will be best avoided without chains and winter tyres. But apart from those situations, AMG’s take on the CLS Shooting Brake should manage just fine in most circumstances. Despite the ‘63’ tag, power actually comes from a 5.5 litre V8 biturbo engine that pumps out 518 bhp (386 kW / 525 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb/ft) of peak torque. That’s enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). If that’s not sufficient, AMG is also going to be offering the ‘Edition 1’ version for a short time after sales begin t...

Portugal's Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) is to become the first force in the world to use the Nissan Leaf for police patrol work. Eight of the electric cars are going to be joining the PSP fleet, and they will all feature blue lights, sirens and full markings. The effect of all of that extra equipment on range isn’t known, but the Nissans probably won’t be seeing much high-speed pursuit action. Instead, they have been earmarked for the PSP’s Safe School Program. Related posts: 2012 US-spec Nissan Leaf World Car Awards winners Leaf is Car of the Year

Husqvarna is expanding its road bike portfolio with the launch of the TR 650 Strada and TR 650 Terra. Both share a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder 652 cc engine borrowed from parent company BMW’s G 650 GS. However, Husqvarna has managed to squeeze an extra 10 bhp (8 kW / 10 PS) out of it, due mainly to a recalibrated fuel injection system, a higher compression ratio and different camshafts. The result is an output of 57 bhp (43 kW / 58 PS) at 7,250 rpm, while peak torque is 60 Nm (44 lb/ft) at 5,750 rpm. A tubular steel backbone frame, 46 mm diameter upside-down front forks and a steel rear swing-arm are common between both TR models, too. The TR 650 Strada - an evolution of last year’s Concept Strada - is meant purely for street riding, and it features cast aluminium wheels and standard-fit anti-lock brakes. By contrast, the Terra has been designed for light off-road use, and it comes equipped with wire-spoked wheels, knobbly tyres and a higher front mudguard. Anti-lo...

What exactly is the point of the Seat Mii city car? After all, the very similar Volkswagen Up! is going to attract badge snobs, while the virtually identical Škoda Citigo will appeal to savvy buyers who appreciate value for money. And that leaves the Spanish brand’s offering in a no-man’s land, where it risks being forgotten. Perhaps in an acknowledgment of the situation, Seat has launched a customisation pack called Vibora Negra (Spanish for ‘black viper’) which is an attempt to confer a sporty image on the Mii. It consists of various cosmetic accoutrements including body stripes, mirror caps, side skirts, a tailgate spoiler, a gloss gear knob, a chequered dashboard decal and either 14” or 15” alloy wheels. All come in a black finish, which is appropriate given the ‘negra’ name. Available from all UK Seat dealers, the Vibora Negra add-ons are suitable for any Mii. Each of the elements can be bought separately, but getting them as a package saves 10% off the price. Suc...

With its new Inazuma 250, Suzuki could be about to exploit a small niche in the commuter motorcycle market. Arguably, the bike’s 250 cc engine capacity is perfect for the task: powerful enough to nip through traffic, yet capable of achieving low running costs and decent economy. In fact, Suzuki is claiming a class-leading and wallet-friendly fuel consumption figure of 85.8 mpg (3.3 l/100km). A lack of obvious rivals should also help the Inazuma’s chances of sales success. Very few 250 cc models are currently offered in Europe, and the target audience of many that are - including the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Hyosung GT250R and Honda CBR250R - is definitely sports bike fans. Perhaps the only direct competitor is the Hyosung GT250, which costs £3,399 on the road. Given that amount, Suzuki’s decision to price the Inazuma 250 at £3,499 OTR in the UK seems reasonable. Sales are due to begin during the second half of September, and customers will have a choice of either Pearl Nebular B...

Just last month, Vauxhall / Opel announced that it would be returning to its mass-market roots, thereby signalling an end to any upmarket aspirations. But product planning cycles are measured in years, not weeks, so for the foreseeable future any new models launched by GM’s European subsidiaries are probably going to bear the hallmarks of that abandoned brand strategy. The just-revealed Adam city car is a case in point, and indeed the press release blurb uses terms such as ‘up-market design’, ‘premium materials’ and ‘upscale equipment’ to describe the new arrival. Whatever the positioning, the good-looking Adam could provide some stiff competition for the (still) ultra-trendy Fiat 500, as well as the recently-launched Volkswagen Up! / Seat Mii / Škoda Citigo trio. At 3.7 metres (12’ 1”) long, it’s only around sixteen centimetres (six inches) bigger than the Fiat, and crucially the Adam offers the one thing that virtually defines the diminutive Italian: the ability for buy...

Last year’s Defender XTech Special Edition was clearly a success, because Land Rover has just announced an updated version for 2012. Whereas before it was available solely in 90 Hard Top guise, now the XTech treatment has been extended to the 90 Station Wagon, 110 Station Wagon and 110 Utility Wagon body styles as well. The most obvious difference compared to regular models is the colour scheme. Buyers will have a choice of either Orkney Grey or Nara Bronze paintwork, with the latter being a shade unique to the Special Edition. Both come with a complementary Santorini Black finish for the roof, headlight surrounds and wheel arches. Other exterior features include 16” ‘Saw Tooth’ alloy wheels shod with MTR off-road tyres, a body-colour grille, LED rear lights and black chequer plate on the bumper and sills. On the inside, the central switch panel is painted to match the body colour, special floor mats are fitted and the seats come in part-leather Ebony upholstery with Luna...

BMW’s motorcycle range is getting some updates for the 2013 model year. The major change is that anti-lock brakes will become standard equipment on all models. This move forms part of the firm’s recently-announced ‘Safety 360°’ initiative, and it also pre-empts European Union legislation which is likely to be introduced in 2016. Apart from that, there’s not too much to get excited about, as most of the other revisions are simply new colour schemes: G Series The G 650 GS will be available in Sunset Yellow, which replaces Orange Red. F Series BMW revealed the new F 700 GS and F 800 GS a few days ago, but the F 800 R is also getting a few tweaks for 2013. These focus on a couple of option packs that are designed to broaden the naked bike’s appeal. The first is the Dynamic Package, which will cost €295 in Germany and comprises a pillion seat cover, an engine spoiler and LEDs in place of conventional bulbs for the indicators and rear light. Alternati...