Road Tests

Road Tests

The fastest-ever TT...

The fastest-ever TT has broken cover - and these are the first official pictures. With more performance and a stylish makeover, the sporty Audi has the Porsche Cayman firmly in its sights.

The firm"s top brass...

The firm"s top brass were said to be hopping mad when Solido, the toy manufacturer commissioned to make collectors" models of the new car, jumped the gun. Its staff unveiled the miniature clay models of its 2005 range at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany.

The first to arrive...

The first to arrive will be the next Twingo - called Zoнѓ© in concept form - and the Clio, which will be quickly followed by an evolution of the recently facelifted Laguna. The projects are still top secret, but to get a feel for what to expect, Renault invited us behind the wheel of the Zoнѓ© and Fluence, two fully functional show stars that reveal the design direction the firm is about to take.

The Focus is aiming...

The Focus is aiming ever higher at Ford – and Auto Express has the pictures to prove it. This is an exclusive preview of how the next generation of Ford’s family favourite is shaping up.

The Freelander is set...

The Freelander is set to hog the lime-light at next monthрЂ™s British Motor Show at ExCeL in LondonрЂ™s Docklands, where it will make its international debut

The future looks bright...

The future looks bright for Jaguar and Land Rover – but what does it mean for you, the car buyer?

The German firm plans...

The German firm plans to clamp down on the practice of vehicles being sold for hefty discounts by online brokers this year. Bosses are threatening to terminate contracts with UK dealers which shift unsold stock to companies such as Drivethedeal.com and Broadspeed.

The German giant has...

The German giant has dropped the cars to simplify its range. The firm had more than 10,000 different build combinations available within its line-up - a situation that VW admits was "too complicated". Now bosses have taken action and axed unpopular colours and trims.

The growth in delivery...

The growth in delivery vans with untrained drivers creates more pollution and accidents, and injuries are more serious

The hi-tech flashing...

The hi-tech flashing cones and a new fleet of convoy trucks to escort drivers into M-way roadworks are being introduced in a Government-backed initiative.

The impact of London’s...

The impact of London’s new congestion charging rules on second-hand values is uncertain – because even the UK’s used car price guides can’t agree on the outcome!

"The impact of traffic...

"The impact of traffic on drivers" report - co-authored by health psychologist David Moxon - identifies a new condition named Traffic Stress Syndrome (TSS), a form of psychological anxiety that manifests itself in certain drivers while stuck in traffic.

The Insignia is yet...

The Insignia is yet to appear in VauxhallтЂ™s UK showrooms, but the firm has already pulled the covers off the ultra-frugal ecoFLEX variant.Revealed on the firmтЂ™s Paris Motor Show stand, the green version of theТ Ford Mondeo rival promises to cut your running costs and carbon emissions without compromising on refinement тЂ“ in fact itтЂ™s the quietest Vauxhall ever built!Powered by a 158bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the ecoFLEX family car produces less than 140g/km of CO2. Despite emissions on a par with many superminis, it will still be capable of 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds thanks to a torque overboost function which increases pulling power from 350Nm to 380Nm for up to 15 seconds.The key to the VauxhallтЂ™s efficiency lies partly in its slippery shape. The standard InsigniaтЂ™s drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.27Cd to 0.26Cd, while special eco tyres are fitted to 17-inch alloy wheels.Prices are yet to be announced for the newcomer, which will go on sale in the UK next summer, but it wonтЂ™t sit at the bottom of the Insignia range. Instead it will be marketed as a mid-range variant with comfort and economy coming as standard.Meanwhile the Insignia Sports Tourer estate also made its world debut in Paris. The newcomer has a 540-litre luggage capacity with the rear seats in place, while the firm"s new FlexRide adjustable dampers are set up to adjust for heavy loads. The Sports Tourer will go on sale in the UK in March next year.

The long-awaited entrant...

The long-awaited entrant into the fiercely competitive compact hatchback market is christened the C30, and will be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show next week. Auto Express has the first official pictures of the Swedish star, which is arguably the most important model the firm has ever launched.

The ‘teasing’...

The ‘teasing’ is over – Kia has spilled the beans on its new three-door hatch.

The mag has the first...

The mag has the first pictures of the facelifted PT Cruiser, which will be on sale in UK showrooms before the end of next year. Just when you thought the American car"s styling was radical enough, it looks as though it will be getting an even more striking front end. Despite the disguise, it"s clear the newcomer has more rounded headlights than the current model.

The mag"s images show...

The mag"s images show the Fox"s wheels fitted with hi-tech equipment to measure the exact speed and rolling resistance of each tyre. And that signals VW"s intent to inject some of the excitement of the legendary Golf GTI into the bargain city car. The move follows news of the hot Polo GTI - revealed in last week"s issue - which will go on sale in UK showrooms early next year.

The mag"s sensational...

The mag"s sensational spy shots show the aggressive new front end in all its glory for the first time. But this car isn"t only about exciting looks - the 157 is getting a new chassis and bigger range of engines to take on the opposition. The triple headlights are framed by a heavily sculpted bonnet, and the prominent Alfa grille completes the revamp.

The mag"s s spies caught...

The mag"s s spies caught a high-performance version of the recently unveiled Cayman undergoing testing around the Nнѓбјrburgring circuit in Germany. And the mag"s exclusive main picture gives the world its first glimpse of the hot new RS variant in showroom-ready form.

The main teams from...

The main teams from the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) descended on Milton Keynes, Bucks, for a demonstration event, wowing a crowd of more than 10,000 fans.

The maker is beating...

The maker is beating a path to the heart of the US car market with a raft of fresh metal at the expo - including a new model that"s coming to the UK in right-hand-drive form early next year.

The mighty 6.5-litre...

The mighty 6.5-litre V12"s engine manageчment system is tweaked to boost power by 10bhp, taking it to an epic 650bhp. That should mean 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and a 220mph top speed

The model is called...

The model is called the Exelero, and it features Maybach"s 5.9-litre V12 engine under its long bonnet. With 700bhp and 1,020Nm of torque on tap, there"s plenty of power to take the 2.66-tonne car up to its top speed.

The model is charged...

The model is charged with boosting the company"s profile, but without losing the brand"s exclusive appeal. Chief executive Dr Ulrich Bez told us: "This is the more affordable Aston Martin, and its design and agility should help to widen our appeal and attract younger customers to our marque."

The most eagerly anticipated...

The most eagerly anticipated fast Ford for years made its global debut at the British Motor Show today. The Focus RS is powered by a 296bhp version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine from the Focus ST, making the new RS the most powerful model Ford of Europe has ever produced. No official performance figures are available yet, but Ford RS boss Jost Capito estimated a 0-60mph time of less than six seconds. Top speed is likely to exceed 150mph.

The move, overseen by...

The move, overseen by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), will signal the end of high-speed, long-distance journeys for companies such as courier firms. And it means they will no longer be able to cover the same mileages in a day as they do now.

The new 4x4 will debut...

The new 4x4 will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and hits British showrooms shortly afterwards - where it"s tipped to cost around н‚бЈ3,000 more than its predecessor. It will go head-to-head with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The new car, which originates...

The new car, which originates from Australia, is a heavily reworked version of Vauxhall sister company Holчden"s HSV Clubsport R8. With a V8 engine feeding the 414bhp power output to the rear wheels, the VXR8 is tipped to be one of the most thrilling models ever to wear the Griffin badge.

The newcomer is set...

The newcomer is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, and will be looking to continue the Polo"s well established role as the supermini with the image all other car manufacturers aspire to. The excellent residual values, superb build quality and smart, chunky styling make the current model a hit and maintain the solid reputation the Polo has enjoyed for nearly a decade.

The new drop-top is...

The new drop-top is powered by a twin-turbo version of the Crewe firm"s 6.75-litre V8, which produces 450bhp and 875Nm of torque. Although the car shares its wheelbase and front end with the outgoing Arnage Convertible, the rest is all-new, with significant revisions to the interior. Officially it"s only a concept, but a production model, expected to cost nearly н‚бЈ300,000, is due to appear this time next year.

The new Honda Civic...

The new Honda Civic is here тЂ“ and yet again itтЂ™s set to break the mould in the family hatchback sector! These exclusive shots show how the next car will look when it hits the showroom in 2010, and as you can see, the Japanese maker has opted for a shape that is even bolder and more individual than the current model.

The news follows confirmation...

The news follows confirmation that, after three successful seasons, Auto Express’ parent firm Dennis Publishing has renewed its media partnership with the all-action Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The news that Volvo...

The news that Volvo is recalling nearly half a million cars (35,000 in Britain) due to a fire risk from short-circuited radiator fan motors is just the latest safety scare. Last year, it called back 360,000 US models for engine speed control faults. But the Swedish firm is by no means an exception. In 2002, Ford recalled 600,000 mainly US Focuses over a fire safety issue and, two years ago, 360,000 models were affected by potentially faulty rear-door latches. Last year, Toyota recalled one million cars for steering problems; in the States, it called back more vehicles than it had sold. In Japan, the company became the subject of a criminal investigation over allegations that it delayed a safety recall for eight years following a steering defect on its best-selling Hilux model.

The next Mondeo will...

The next Mondeo will take cues from the SAV 5 concept displayed at the Geneva Motor Show. The MPV is said to be the first in a series to reveal Ford"s fresh family face.

The ninth incarnation...

The ninth incarnation of the legendary rally-bred four-door will be the final version to be based on the current-generation Lancer saloon, and the most powerful. An all-new Evo X will arrive in 2007. As you would expect, Mitsubishi has pulled out all the stops to make sure the car seen here will be a suitably thrilling last hurrah.

The number’s up...

The number’s up on illegal registration plates! New rules introduced at the beginning of the month aim to crack down on dodgy styles and fonts. And unless your car now carries special identifying marks, it won’t pass the annual MoT test.

The Peugeot 207 is venturing...

The Peugeot 207 is venturing into the rough! Auto Express spied this SUV sister car for the popular supermini, which is to join other forthcoming compact off-roaders such as the MINI Monte and Vauxhall’s Corsa 4x4 on sale next year.

The powerhouse Vauxhall...

The powerhouse Vauxhall VXR8 is about to get even faster тЂ“ and this time, it has the storming V10-engined Audi RS6 firmly in its sights.

The production model...

The production model draws heavily on the M3X concept that appeared at last September"s Paris Motor Show. Bosses at parent firm GM are keen to stress that while the design is fresh, the overall shape and many of the styling cues will be familiar. Size-wise, the newcomer is exactly the same length as the outgoing model, at 3.50 metres.

There aren’t many...

There aren’t many budding young racing drivers who can honestly say they are following in the wheel tracks of grand prix top guns, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. But that is exactly the position Duncan Tappy finds himself in.

There"s no doubt that...

There"s no doubt that with the new V8 Vantage"s arrival alongside Jaguar"s next XK, coupнѓ© fans have never had

There was nowhere to...

There was nowhere to hide for car makers in March when we published our 2008 Driver Power satisfaction survey results in Issue 1,004.

There was plenty of...

There was plenty of Turkish delight for Jenson Button last weekend, as the Brawn GP ace notched up his sixth win of the season. The Briton now has an impressive 26 point advantage at the top of the title table.

The S5 Cabriolet is...

The S5 Cabriolet is out in the open тЂ“ and itтЂ™s shaping up as the only thing to be seen in next summer!

These are the first...

These are the first official pictures of the Golf Plus, and show how the firm has subtly altered the MkV hatch to find new customers. Slotting between the conventional five-door and the Touran people carrier, it"s effectively a replacement for the Golf estate. That was a capable car, but not a strong seller, and bosses say the Plus is aimed at those who want extra practicality without opting for a load-lugger or an MPV.

These are the first...

These are the first official pictures of Mercedes" stylish Freelander rival. Called the GLK Freeside, the rugged newcomer is actually being presented as a concept. However, by the time it makes its world debut at this month"s Detroit Motor Show company bosses will have confirmed production plans.

These are the first...

These are the first official pictures of the facelifted version, which will make its public debut at next month"s British Motor Show and breathe new life into MG"s Subaru Impreza pretender. What"s more, not only have we got a picture of the revised front end, we also have a world exclusive peek at the rear.

These are the first...

These are the first official pictures of the final production version, which will be unveiled at next month"s Geneva Motor Show. But regular Auto Express readers got their first glimpse of the undisguised convertible back in issue 784. Now that the newcomer is out in the open, the firm has also confirmed that the Tigra name will be resurrected. With its Vauxhall badge and neat styling, the car is expected to knock the Peugeot 206 CC off the top-selling convertible spot when it arrives here in August.

The secretтЂ™s out...

The secretтЂ™s out. Auto Express can reveal Vauxhall plans for a practical new family car based on the technology that underpins the petrol-electric Ampera.

The sensational new...

The sensational new Ford Fiesta ST has broken cover – and Auto Express has the first pictures. With the performance, pace and personality to leave its rivals trailing, the all-new hot hatch promises to raise the bar in the supermini sector.

The sensational new...

The sensational new TT promises to be a massive hit - but while there"s no doubt that the designers have done a great job of refining and adapting the classic shape, will the car now be just as good to drive as it is to look at?

These official images...

These official images of Peugeot"s new 308 have been leaked ahead of its planned public unveiling. Following months of scoop shots, the five-door"s shape comes as no surprise. What is striking, though, is just how bold the showroom-ready hatchback"s finer details are.

The shake-up will mean...

The shake-up will mean more vehicles available at lower prices.

The sleek design will...

The sleek design will help Audi take on fresh competition in the shape of BMW"s forthcoming 3-Series CC, which will provide the added versatility of

The sloping tailgate...

The sloping tailgate, raised window-line at the D-pillar and gaping chrome grille from the saloon show the newcomer"s styling hasn"t been compromised by practicality. Its sleek lines are coupled with a spacious cabin, which VW claims has unique standard features in the family class.

The smaller car is the...

The smaller car is the Vision B, the larger machine the Vision R - and both will be in production within 12 months, badged as the B-Class and R-Class.

The Spirit of Ecstasy...

The Spirit of Ecstasy has landed again - and this time it"s in Seventh Heaven! These are the first official sketches of the new RR4 - the "baby" Rolls-Royce based on BMW"s 7-Series and set to touch down in 2010.

The stunning 8C has...

The stunning 8C has developed a mean streak. Take a look at our exclusive images of the hardest, loudest and fastest Alfa ever тЂ“ the 8C GTA, which will help mark the firmтЂ™s centenary in style next year.

THE stunning BMW Z4...

THE stunning BMW Z4 has blown its top... And Auto Express has the first official pictures.

THE stunning BMW Z4...

THE stunning BMW Z4 has blown its top... And Auto Express has the first official pictures.

The super-saloon was...

The super-saloon was spied snarling through a sleepy German village, and our shots reveal its head-turning looks.

The third model in the...

The third model in the line-up - pictured (middle vehicle in image) alongside the H1 (left) and H2 - goes on sale in the US this year. While it"s the smallest machine yet, it"s still as big as a Range Rover - and it could be available through Cadillac dealerships as early as 2006. An insider told us: "Hummer is investigating the feasibility of selling in more European markets, including the UK."

The Times newspaper...

The Times newspaper has finally woken up to this fact. The main story on its front page on 30 December 2003 was entitled "Speed camera curbs to halt driver backlash". And on 1 January 2004, the broadsheet came back for more, devoting over half its front page to cynical motoring fines. Stories about a murdered policeman, war on terror and other domestic and international events played second fiddle to the plight of UK car occupants, many of whom are now in danger of being priced out of their vehicles - not by manufacturers, but by politicians punch drunk on power and making money.

The tin snail is back!...

The tin snail is back! Citroen is planning to evoke memories of its legendary 2CV with an all-new model. And thanks to our French sister magazine, Auto Plus, we have details and exclusive images of the car. Dubbed the DS2, the compact hatch will be the entry point to the firmтЂ™s new DS range when it arrives in 2012.

The top speed has been...

The top speed has been limited to 155mph, but insiders suggest the newcomer would better 205mph without the electronics in place, easily making it one of the world"s fastest street legal cars.

The Trading Standards...

The Trading Standards Institute says buyers are amassing huge debts and adding thousands of pounds to their model"s original price, as they"re being persuaded to take out high-interest credit

The US already has two...

The US already has two superior car shows - Detroit and Los Angeles. Add Chicago in the first week of February, as well as New York, and that"s four major car exhibitions before spring has properly sprung. Britain doesn"t even get one big show a year, so I suppose that"s why Land Rover decided it had little choice but to reveal the Disco on foreign soil. Much as I would have preferred the unveiling to be at Birmingham"s NEC, the firm with its roots in Solihull and its heart in nearby Gaydon did the right thing by choosing New York. Elsewhere, the car would have had to compete with more headline-grabbing launches.

The VIN (Vehicle Identification...

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) codes were supposed to give offiчcers vehicle information instantly. Each plate is unique and contains a hisчtory of the car, including model and bodystyle, and when and where it was built.

The Volkswagen Golf...

The Volkswagen Golf is ready to join the hybrid club! The German company will unveil a new diesel-electric version of its best-selling hatchback at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

The volume of ex-fleet...

The volume of ex-fleet vehicles left unsold at auction sites should force fleet companies to lower their reserve prices, according to SMA director Alistair Manson.

The World Rally Championship...

The World Rally Championship is set for a shake-up at the end of this season. Not only is the calendar undergoing significant revisions – including the addition of a round in Ireland – but there will be a new points set-up and the controчversial ‘Super Rally’ system is to be axed.

The wraps are finally...

The wraps are finally off the facelifted Mazda RX-8, which made its debut at the Detroit Show. The innovative Japanese coupe has undergone a number of revisions in an effort to refresh the five-year old design. There"s also a new hardcore range-topper, called the R3.

The wraps are off MercedesтЂ™...

The wraps are off MercedesтЂ™ next-generation CLK тЂ“ and even its name has changed!

The wraps are off Nissan"s...

The wraps are off Nissan"s Micra! These drawings have been leaked onto the internet, almost a year ahead of its official UK launch.

They’re expecting...

They’re expecting quads at Nissan! The Japanese brand is preparing to deliver four stunning concepts at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show.

TheyтЂ™re really getting...

TheyтЂ™re really getting the wind up at Mercedes тЂ“ and itтЂ™s got nothing to do with competitorsтЂ™ cars!

This aluminium race-style...

This aluminium race-style trolley jack from tool giant Clarke will make light work of any under-car maintenance. The jack has been designed with sporting models in mind, as its saddle can drop lower than standard units to a mere 79mm – at full height it will reach 376mm. It weighs only 10.3kg, while the two-piece handle makes it easy to store and use – simply twist and pump to raise and lower the cup. There is also a rubber contact pad to protect the car.

This could be the most...

This could be the most important new Saab in decades! Just unveiled here at Geneva, the 9-X BioHybrid concept gives the strongest hint yet of the quirky Swedish firm"s forthcoming premium compact hatch.

This exciting new British...

This exciting new British sports car proves that being green doesn’t have to be dull. Called the Climax, the ultra-lightweight two-seater is inspired by the Formula One racing cars of the Fifties and Sixties, and features a mid-mounted, flat-four-cylinder turbocharged engine that runs on E85 bioethanol.

This is the all-new...

This is the all-new Genesis, which makes its world debut at last week"s New York Motor Show. The sleek saloon previews a luxurious new rear-wheel-drive vehicle, which is set to shake up the market and put the likes of BMW and Mer-cedes firmly in its sights when it hits showrooms next year.

This is the Murano with...

This is the Murano with more – much more! Nissan has taken its luxury SUV in a new performance direction – and it could well go on sale if visitors to next month’s British Motor Show give the newcomer the thumbs-up.

This is what the Mazda...

This is what the Mazda 3 will look like... in 2018! The bold concept is the work of a young American desТigner, who won the marqueтЂ™s competition to create a small family car of the future.

This mag"s exclusive...

This mag"s exclusive pictures show that Honda is going for a much sleeker look with the new car, in a bid to attract more young buyers. And first impressions seem to confirm it will be one of the maker"s most dramatic new models ever.

This shadowy picture...

This shadowy picture is all there is to see at the moment, but not for long - the car will be at next week"s Geneva Motor Show. Birdcage was originally used to describe the intricate tubular chassis design of Maserati"s race cars. Officially the rebirth of the name remains a secret, but the news was revealed to us ahead of the supercoupнѓ©"s official unveiling.

This very special JCB...

This very special JCB is destined for the Bonneville Salt Flats in the US, where it will attempt to break the world land speed record for diesel-engined cars this summer, hitting more than 300mph.

This week comes the...

This week comes the official confirmation of our reports, with BMW unveiling the new MINI Traveller. The covers were lifted at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. And as our spy shots (page 6 of this week"s issue) confirm, development has already started on a production version of the show car, which could go on sale within the next two years.

Thrills, spills and...

Thrills, spills and spinning wheels – that’s what you can expect from this year’s adrenaline-filled MPH Show. Throughout November, Earls Court in London and the NEC in Birmingham will be turned into high-octane arenas full of stunning supercars and spectacular stunts.

To be fair to the dead...

To be fair to the dead wood Conservatives, I"m writing this column before their gathering is even over. But are Britain"s 50 million car users anywhere near the top of their priority list, or are they just thinking about their next leader who, if he or she lasts as long as the last three, will be irrelevant? Unlike those 50 million motorists and their passengers, who have valuable voting cards up their sleeves!

To find out, Auto Express...

To find out, Auto Express exclusively introduced the Ford to the machine that is likely to be its fiercest rival when it hits the road next January - the exciting new Vauxhall Astra. It"s the first time in the UK that the two have met.

Trade experts at the...

Trade experts at the CAP Black Book predict that convertibles will buck tradition and hold on to their value as the weather worsens, thanks to the latest generation of clever folding hard-top designs.

Traffic snarl-ups are...

Traffic snarl-ups are the bane of every driverтЂ™s life, so anything that helps avoid congestion has to be good news. Combining sat-navs with monitoring systems is increasingly common, but these are only as reliable as the jam spottersтЂ™ data.

True, the organiser...

True, the organiser of the event, the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders (SMMT), has tried to make it more appealing by moving it to the spring. But the truth is the change hasn"t worked. Nor, I suspect, will a new domestic venue be the answer to the UK show"s long-running and inexplicable catalogue of headaches and embarrassments.

UK tunnel operators...

UK tunnel operators are considering bringing in the startling new safety measure - a laser projection of the sign on to a sheet of water sprayed from pipes above - to prevent drivers getting caught in underground incidents.

Under the skin, the...

Under the skin, the GT-R packs an incredible punch; its specially built 480bhp 3.8-litre V6 engine features twin turbos tuned by motorsport expert Cosworth

Used buyers have never...

Used buyers have never been so content – that’s the verdict from one of the UK’s leading vehicle retailers. According to Brit-ish Car Auctions (BCA), a huge 72 per cent of second-hand customers were “very sat-isfied” with their new motor last year.

Using the underpinnings...

Using the underpinnings of the recently launched ForFour, the newcomer will feature jacked-up suspension, chunkier styling, flared wheelarches and larger rims. Tracing its heritage back to the TRIDION4 concept car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2001, the ForMore follows Smart"s favoured design technique - bolting interchangeable plastic panels to a steel frame.

Vauxhall is back in...

Vauxhall is back in business. In an effort to rediscover its title-winning form, VX Racing has ditched its disappointing Astra Sport Hatch. An exciting new Vectra-based racer has been introduced for the 2007 Dunlop British Touring Car Championship, which roars into action with three rounds at Brands Hatch, Kent, on Sunday.

Vauxhall is flexing...

Vauxhall is flexing its creative muscles with the next Zafira – and here’s the proof! Sister company Opel unчveiled this stunning concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And, according to the maker, it gives strong hints as to how the next generation of the big-selling MPV will look.

VauxhallтЂ™s family...

VauxhallтЂ™s family car is taking a walk on the wild side! After endless spy shots and numerous rumours the white-hot Insignia VXR is here. And we have the first official pictures of the model thatтЂ™s leaving more premium rivals shaking in their boots.

Want to know what Renault’s...

Want to know what Renault’s first SUV will look like? Well, it will be virtually identical to this newly un-чveiled off-roader. It’s the Samsung QM5, which goes sale in Europe next year as the Renault Koleos.

Want to save fuel and...

Want to save fuel and cut down your CO2 emissions? The DTI has just unveiled the “Act On CO2” initiative to encourage car buyers to purchase more fuel efficient motors. Auto Express has conducted its own research to find Britain’s 100 most economical motors.

WATCH out Ferrari тЂ“...

WATCH out Ferrari тЂ“ Pagani is developing a replacement for the Zonda! Caught testing in Italy, our spy photographers shot this prototype putting its new engine, advanced aerodynamics and totally fresh chassis through their paces.

We can reveal these...

We can reveal these exclusive pictures of the French firm’s next-generation supermini – and, as can be seen, they leave little to the imagination!

We"ll be revealing the...

We"ll be revealing the some of the class results online over the next week, starting with the best supermini. If you can"t wait or need the full facts, seek out this week"s issue on the bookstalls.

Well executed and beautifully...

Well executed and beautifully detailed, the soft-top offers everything you need and nothing you don"t.

Well, judging by our...

Well, judging by our test ride, it has a great chance. Unlike most rival electric scooters, the Vectrix has been designed from the outset to run on battery power, rather than being converted from a petrol machine.

We"re doubled up with...

We"re doubled up with city car excitement! Not only can Auto Express magazine bring you the clearest picture yet of Ford"s new Ka, but the mag also has spyshots of the Fiat 500. And these two babies look set to create a massive storm.

We"ve already shown...

We"ve already shown you around the outside of FerrariтЂ™s new 458 but here"s a closer look at the inside. Plus, we got first pictures of the fastest Ferrari ever on the move.

What follows is my last...

What follows is my last word on the British International Motor Show, 2006. Or my last 587 words, to be precise. On the three days and one evening I attended the expo in London"s Docklands, I saw nothing but satisfied British and international journalists, cautiously optimistic motor industry personnel and, most important of all, happy punters.

What were we supposed...

What were we supposed to do? Grab shovels and dig our way through, searching for bus stops where we"d wait in sub-zero temperatures for public service vehicles with no seatbelts? Or would it have been more acceptable to pay a dollar a minute to ride around in filthy yellow cabs for a week? Alternatively, I could have opted for a simple two-wheel-drive car. But in such tricky conditions, I feared I"d end up down a ditch or in the path of an oncoming truck, so I opted for a 4x4.

When it comes to touring...

When it comes to touring cars, no one can touch BMW’s track record. For more than three decades, the Bavarian team has been shredding its tin-top rivals and stockpiling all the major national and international titles, culminating in Andy Priaulx’s back-to-back World Touring Car Championship crowns in 2005 and 2006.

When I was about 10...

When I was about 10 years old, I worked out that cars don’t fall over and that bikes do, so anything on two wheels must be avoided. By 20, my idealistic youth was behind me, I cleared my head and gave up being a Communist. At 30, an air hostess poured so much wine into my glass with such grace during a scary 10-hour flight that I proposed to her on the spot. She stupidly accepted, and my status as an eligible bachelor was over.

Whether we’re...

Whether we’re car drivers, bikers or bus and coach users, we each have our corners to fight and are all entitled to our say. And the same is true of truck operators. As with the rest of us, they pay a high price to put their vehicles on the road and keep them running. And judging by the amount of complaints I have heard over the years from the lorry boys and girls – about everything from low profit margins to unfair competition created by foreign-registered vehicles – I always thought they were genuinely hard-up.

While the GTI badges...

While the GTI badges are missing in the mag"s shots, there"s no doubt what this car is. The undisguised model is almost identical to 2003"s Frankfurt Motor Show concept.

While the Japanese company...

While the Japanese company has released these first official pictures and details of the facelifted 350Z, Auto Express can also exclusively reveal plans to produce a smaller version.

Will raising the driving...

Will raising the driving age to 18 reduce road deaths? IтЂ™m not sure. Most people of this age will simply ride motorbikes instead

Winner Honda Civic

With agile handling...

With agile handling and a fine ride, the B-MAX will be great to drive, as well as flexible

With its sharp Giugiaro-designed...

With its sharp Giugiaro-designed body, a cutting-edge new platform and a range of revamped engines, this is an Alfa that won"t rely on style alone in order to attract buyers. The 156 replacement carries over many of its predecessor"s styling cues, but adds even more distinctive details.