French carmakers are pulling out all the stops at this year's motor show in Paris. Faced with tough competition, the firms are unveiling butch new models they hope will help them survive amid the turmoil that has shaken the car industry in recent months. Peugeot is taking a bold step into muscle car territory with its aggressive looking 908 RC, powered by a 700bhp diesel engine that aims to showcase its diesel technology. Sister marque Citroen is pushing the technology one step further, in a somewhat different direction, with its C-Metisse hybrid that combines a diesel engine with electric motors. Full Article

Kia Motors has revealed the first image of its latest concept car that is scheduled to debut at the Paris Motor Show next week. The concept, named pro_cee''d, is based on the forthcoming three-door sporty hatch version of the all-new Kia cee''d. This five-door family hatchback has its world premiere (in production-ready form) at Paris and will be manufactured at Kia''s European assembly plant in Slovakia from November 2006. Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Kia at European Design Centre commented, "Following on from the original cee''d concept, our design brief for pro_cee''d was to create a teaser for the all-new cee''d sports hatch which will become the third model in the cee''d line-up." Full Article

Land Rover has released prices on the all-new Freelander 2, starting from £20,935 and rising to £33,990, on the road. Set to go on-sale at the end of this year, the Freelander 2 was first seen at the British International Motor Show 2006 in London. The vehicle is all-new from the tyres upward with a fresh design, Terrain Response™ and two new engines – a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel and a 3.2-litre straight-six petrol. The Freelander 2 range starts with the entry-level TD4 S diesel at £20,935 rising to the i6 HSE petrol at £33,990 on the road. Test drives in the Freelander 2 can be organised through the Land Rover UK dealer network or via www.landrover.co.uk Full Article

Peugeot will reveal the "207 EPURE" concept car at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The company says that the "207 EPURE" concept car is a glimpse of a future "CC" version of the 207. The concept car is powered by an electric motor combined with PSA Peugeot Citroën Group's new "GENEPAC 20" 20 kW experimental fuel cell which has been designed in partnership with the French AEC (Atomic Energy Commission). The electricity produced by the fuel cell is used to provide extra power and operating range to the vehicle's electric motor or the "lithium-ion" battery.Full Article

Volkswagen has revealed its Iroc sports car concept at a special event in Berlin. The Iroc marks the return of the Scirocco, Volkswagen's iconic sports coupé, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 33 years ago. With its Viper Green metallic paint, the Iroc harks back to the Scirocco, where this exact shade was available in the 1976 model range. The Iroc has distinctive dimensions, with a very long roof and steeply sloping rear, which gives it an aggressive and sporting appearance and also liberates space in the back for two adults plus luggage. Full Article

Honda will reveal production versions of the new CR-V and the high-performance Civic Type R, at the Paris Motor Show in September. The completely new CR-V is said to combine SUV practicality with saloon car-like driving dynamics, sophisticated styling and an upmarket, well-equipped interior. It will also be available with the advanced Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS). A new 2.0-litre petrol engine, together with Honda's renowned 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel engine, ensures the CR-V continues to offer class-leading fuel consumption and performance. Full Article

The latest concept car from Citroën will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The C-Métisse is designed to prove that a high performance car can also be green, combining a top speed of 155mph with the ability to cover around 45 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. Crammed with hi-tech innovations and neat touches, the C-Métisse combines coupé styling with 4-door practicality thanks to the show-stopping gull-wing front and rear doors. In particular, the C-Métisse has been developed to offer outstanding environmental credentials.Full Article

The new, refreshed, Kia Sorento is in the showrooms now. The revised 2.5-litre turbodiesel and new 3.3-litre V6 petrol engines are said to deliver improved performance; while suspension modifications provide a better balance of ride and handling and safety is enhanced with state-of-the-art accident-avoidance features. The revised model uses the same body panels as the original car but with new front and rear bumpers, projection-style headlamps, tail lights and body mouldings. The overall length has increased by just 20mm as a result of the new bumpers. Full Article

As fuel prices continue to rise, cash-conscious car buyers are able to rely on Perodua to help them keep motoring costs down. Until the end of September, the Perodua Kelisa Ex, claimed to be Britain's most affordable new car to own and run, is now even better value for money. At just £4499 delivered (plus £93 road fund licence and first registration fee (6 months), Perodua have slashed £200 off the usual price of their lead-in model. Full Article

BMW is introducing three new six-cylinder powerplants into the BMW 3 Series range for September 2006. BMW's most popular model now encompasses a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol engine, to be badged 335i, and a single turbocharged diesel engine called the 325d. Joining these two new units is the most powerful diesel ever to power a BMW in the UK - a twin-turbocharged 2,993cc engine with 286hp. Following its launch in the 3 Series Coupé range, the 335i-badged cars come to the BMW 3 Series Saloon and Touring ranges. Full Article

Peugeot's latest concept car is to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. The 908 RC owes its name to its engine - the Peugeot V12 HDi DPFS, which will power the racing version of the 908 in 2007. The abbreviation "RC", used to designate sports models in the Peugeot range in mainland Europe. Peugeot tells us that the original idea was to create a limousine with an imposing style that offered its four occupants a new driving sensation. The final design, however, is said to be an uncompromising car that combines dynamic performance, comfort, luxury and environmental protection. The 908 RC is powered by Peugeot's V12 HDi DPFS (diesel particulate filter system) diesel engine, designed to take part in the "Le Mans Race Series" programme in 2007. Full Article

By popular demand, Nissan is to make another 175 examples of the Micra C+C Pink. And to further brighten the mood, Nissan is offering a host of cash savings for the simplified Micra range including £1000 off the flagship Sport SR. The Micra C+C Pink, first launched in March, proved so popular that the initial run of 100 sold out in a few weeks. An appearance on BBC2's Top Gear generated more demand, which further increased as the first Pinks went out on the road. So Nissan is making a few more. Full Article

According to the company, the new Docklands location for the British International Motor Show has been a great success for Ford. Throughout the Show, Ford stand staff struggled to keep up with requests and questions from visitors. At peak times, Ford staff were recording potential new customers at a rate of one a minute! Fortunately, Ford had equipped the stand appropriately as people were able to help themselves to complimentary ice lollies. By the time the motor show closed at the end of the hottest July on record more than 110,000 lollies had been handed out from a purpose-built bar made of ice on its stand. Full Article

Luxury sports car company TVR and Blackpool Council have agreed on a site for a new factory to keep production in the resort. The council and company said it would be on a nine-acre site, which is in the Blackpool Business Park close to Blackpool Airport. TVR announced in May it would leave its Blackpool factory in Bispham. A month later the Russian-owned firm said its headquarters would be switched to Lancaster. Full Article

The Goodwood Revival will this year celebrate a bizarre phenomenon with a display of small, inventive cars. With oil prices at record levels, the British motorist increasingly needs to consider driving a more economical motor car. This is pertinent in 2006, but it was equally relevant fifty years ago when the Suez crisis began in late July 1956, leading to drastic fuel shortages and spiralling oil prices. The Suez crisis prompted thousands of UK motorists to buy and drive a variety of clever, quirky and distinctive economical microcars, usually imported from Continental Europe. Full Article

Audi has introduced a limited edition A6 3.0 TDI quattro model in celebration of its first ever Le Mans victory with the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI. The A6 Le Mans Edition is a commemorative version of the potent A6 3.0 TDI quattro. Restricted to just 1,000 right-hand-drive examples, the new A6 3.0 TDI quattro Le Mans Edition is now available in Saloon and Avant forms priced at £34,575 OTR and £35,845 OTR respectively. This new special edition model is based on the sporting S line version of the A6 3.0 TDI quattro. Full Article

For the first time in three decades, the British International Motor Show is returning to London. The most important UK motoring event moved from Birmingham after more and more manufacturers failed to turn up to display their cars. UK marques Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley and Rolls-Royce all launch significant models, while BMW marks its return with a super-fast M6 convertible. But several leading carmakers will stay away, including Ferrari, Porsche, Fiat, Volkswagen and Audi. Full Article

Mitsubishi Motors UK has unveiled a new and more powerful version of the Lancer Evolution IX supercar A development of the FQ-340, the new FQ-360 features a 366bhp version of Mitsubishi's 2.0-litre turbo engine and is available to order now, priced at £35,504 with first deliveries expected in September. Making its debut at the British Motor Show, the new FQ-360 joins a three car Lancer Evolution line-up, consisting of the FQ-300, the FQ-320 and the FQ-340, all of which continue. The FQ-360 has been developed by engineers from Mitsubishi UK's motor sport and performance division, Ralliart, which was also responsible for the limited edition FQ-400. Full Article

Since 1998 Peugeot has engineered all its HDi diesel engines to run on biofuels, showcased in 2004 with the launch of the Peugeot RC Cup Motorsport championship. The RC Cup championship uses racing cars based on the 2002 Peugeot RC diamond concept car. The cars are all powered by an HDi diesel engine running on biofuel (Diester) and incorporating a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS). In the RC Cup the Diester fuel has a mixture of 50% Biofuel and 50% diesel. This flexibility of the Peugeot HDi diesel engine means that today, all current Peugeot diesel vehicles can be run on a blend of 30% vegetable oil methylester/diesel biofuel, without any modification. Full Article

Following its UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the all-new Alfa Spider will be on the Alfa Romeo stand at the 2006 British International Motor Show. The all-new Alfa Spider made its international public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, where it was named Cabrio of the Year 2006 by a panel of international motoring writers. Available with a choice of direct injection petrol engines, 2.2 JTS (185bhp) or 3.2 V6 Q4 (260bhp), the new Alfa Spider will become available in the UK at the beginning of 2007. Alongside the Spider at ExCeL will be the recently launched Alfa Brera coupe styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with Alfa Romeo Centro Stile.Full Article

Nissan's Micra has a new flagship, the 110PS Sport SR, which is to be launched at the British International Motor Show. The Sport SR is part of a simplified Micra range. Instead of six trim levels, there will now be three Micra collections called Initia, Spirita and Sport, and the range of six engines previously offered is cut to the most popular four. The outgoing E and S versions are replaced by the Initia with a choice of 1.2-litre 80PS petrol or 1.5dCi 86PS diesel engines. The Micra 1.2 Initia three-door is priced at £8995 - that's the same as the old S with which it shares its equipment levels. An extra pair of doors adds £650; automatic transmission (for the 1.2) is £900, and the diesel engine another £1100. Full Article

Toyota says that, win or lose; they won a place in our hearts with their speed and strength, and deserve our applause one last time before they head off to retirement. The company refers not the England squad, but the football playing Toyota Aygos from Top Gear TV. A reported third of a billion viewers saw the game when it was broadcast last year and it is claimed that millions more have seen repeats and web streams. Now the 'players' face retirement, but will make one more appearance before the fans. Two of the cars will play keepy-uppy with a giant ball in what is expected to be a memorable part of the 100 Years of Cars parade in London on Sunday, 16 July. Full Article

The new Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet will make its UK debut at the British International Motor Show before going on sale in October. Designed in partnership with Pininfarina S.p.A, the Focus Coupé-Cabriolet uses a two-piece folding hardtop, said to give the car two distinct "personalities". Ford tells us that that the roof function is neat, efficient and reliable: opening or closing takes just 29 seconds. With the roof closed, the Coupé-Cabriolet is said to offer a best-in-class 534-litres of luggage capacity, and with the hardtop stowed, there is 248-litres of luggage space. The Focus Coupe-Cabriolet has the option of two, petrol and one diesel engine. Full Article

Described as 'The F40 for the 21st Century', the all new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano will make its only UK driving appearance in 2006 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 620hp, V12 car, is said to combine the elegance of Ferrari design with the race-developed technology from the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Formula 1 team. Powered by a 5999cc engine first seen in the Enzo supercar, the car will appear on the Supercar Run at the Festival each day. Goodwood will also be the first opportunity to see a unique Ferrari 612 Scaglietti personalised by the design team from the leading lifestyle magazine Wallpaper. Full Article

Is it a coupe, is it a cabriolet? Well, the answer is both because the neat folding hardtop drops into the boot, to give you the best of both worlds! Megane wasn't the first car to offer such a clever design and it has always played catch up with the Peuegot 307 CC. However, the Megane CC (Coupe Cabriolet) was the first car in the world to have a folding glass roof and that makes it quite special. This is a decent looking car, with sleek lines and a more upmarket image than the price tag suggests. It also has the benefit of a diesel engine - a 120bhp turbodiesel that isn’t particularly quick, but does help combine practicality with fun weekend jaunts. Full Article

Jaguar unveils its new supercharged sports car – the Jaguar XKR, which is available both as a Coupe or Convertible. Like the normally aspirated XK model, the new XKR makes use of practical, modern technology such as its aluminium monocoque body structure. The uprated 420bhp (SAE) supercharged V8 engine produces 560Nm of torque and together with its six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted 'paddles', makes the XKR the most impressive, everyday, sporting GT in its class, according to the company. The 0-60mph time is 4.9 seconds and 155mph (electronically limited) top speed. Full Article

Land Rover is to take part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the first time in the 4x4 manufacturer's 59-year history, with a display of off-road action. The Land Rover G4 Challenge off-road circuit, will be situated in the main showground, featuring the Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and a special guest vehicle (to be announced on the Sunday of the festival), all of which are available for passenger rides. The circuit is from the Copa Cabana special stage of the 2006 G4 Challenge in Rio de Janeiro, where the challenge set for competitors was to complete the course without putting a wheel on the sand of the world famous beach. Full Article

For the first time ever, Caterham Cars is offering customers 0% finance on all new models powered by the K-Series engine. This means it is possible to buy an entry level Caterham Classic for a deposit of £3,374 and 24 monthly payments of £399. As usual, finance is subject to status and excludes Caterham Academy and race cars. The company says that indemnities may be required. The lightweight K-Series engine has powered the Caterham range for 15 years and is linked to its world record titles including 0-60mph, 0-100-0mph and fastest production car lap of the Nurburgring. With variants available from 105 to 165bhp, the K-series provides the performance in Caterham 7 Classic, Roadsport and Superlight models. Full Article

For the new model year, which begins 1 August, the Boxster and Boxster S will be given more power and torque. The 2.7 litre Boxster engine now develops an additional 5bhp, bringing the total to 245bhp. Torque has increased to 273 Nm, available from 4,600 rpm. Average fuel consumption is 30.4mpg, an improvement of 1mpg. The Boxster accelerates from 0--62mph in 6.1 seconds and has a top speed of 160mph. With the optional six-speed gearbox, 161mph can be achieved. The Boxster S engine, which has been increased in size from 3.2 to 3.4 litres, develops at 6,250 rpm – 15bhp more than its predecessor – and 340 Nm of torque.Full Article

Peugeot has extended its diesel hybrid technology programme to the 307 CC Hybride HDi, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in February. This diesel-hybrid technology demonstrator combines a 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine with a DPFS (Diesel Particle Filter System) and an electric power train. The 307 CC Hybride HDi joins the 307 hatchback, announced in January, to lead diesel hybrid development in readiness for possible introduction in 2010. Peugeot says that, in use, the hybrid electric/diesel powertrain heralds a genuine new benchmark in terms of fuel consumption, combining the efficiency of the 1.6-litre HDi engine with that of the electric motor designed mainly for use in town.Full Article

The Lotus Europa S, the Grand Tourer inspired two-seater, goes on sale from the 16 September. The car will be fully equipped, including driver and passenger airbag, air conditioning, satellite navigation and full leather interior. Metallic Paint and Lifestyle Paint colours are the only cost options. The recommended retail prices for the UK are £32,995, while metallic paint adds £595 and 'Lifestyle' paint is an extra £1,009. The Europa S is said to follow the core Lotus philosophy of performance through light weight – it weighs only 995 kg. Full Article

The Perodua Kelisa has again proved itself to be value for money in terms of purchase price, specification, running costs and depreciation. Perodua has three Kelisa models in the top five of motor research specialist CAP's May running costs table. The company says that, with the continuation of the free SE Pack promotion, Kelisa is the number one choice for those seeking an economical yet stylish motoring solution. The industry supplier of running costs data, CAP, has announced that the 5-door Kelisa EX loses the least money over three years which, combined with a purchase price of only £4,699 delivered, makes it the most affordable car in the UK, according to Perodua. Full Article

High-octane car chases, outrageous stunts, explosive events and humourous commentary from the team continues to make the MPH show unique among motor shows and allows performance car enthusiasts to get closer to the action than ever before. Between the three live shows a day, show goers can get intimate with automotive exotica from marques that have previously included Aston Martin, Bentley, Caterham, Invicta, Jaguar, Noble, Pagani, Radical, Saleen and Ultima. There's also the chance to learn about events like the exclusive Gumball 3000 and handle cutting edge gadgetry. Full Article

The Pixar animation Cars has remained the number one film at North American cinemas for the second weekend. The movie features the voices of Owen Wilson and Paul Newman and tells the tale of a talking vehicle by the name of Lightning McQueen. It generated $31.2m (£16.9m), while another motoring-themed movie, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift entered at three, earning $24.1m (£13m). It was beaten by Nacho Libre, with Jack Black playing a cook who also wrestles. This made number two on the chart with takings of $27.5m (£14.8m). Directed by John Lasseter, Cars will open in the UK on 28 July. Full Article

Honda is to unveil a new 3-door Civic at the London Motor Show in July - completing the 'Built in Britain' line-up of Honda hatchbacks. The 3-door makes its world debut at the London event and is joined by the award-winning 5-door Civic and the Civic Type R Concept. Honda's luxury saloon, the Legend, is also on display at the show. The Legend features safety equipment in the shape of CMBS – brake technology that can predict collisions – and SH-AWD, an intelligent all-wheel drive system that delivers extra cornering performance. For motorsport fans, a specially-commissioned Formula 1 exhibit makes an appearance. Full Article

The most secure and theft-resistant model range in the UK is built by Audi, according to experts at the Thatcham Research Centre, on voting the brand, 'Best Manufacturer' in the 2006 British Insurance Car Security Awards. The company says that not only will owners of the new TT Coupé be driving a car developed with the benefit of award-winning security expertise, but also award-winning engineering know-how, as the new Audi sports car's 2.0-litre Turbo FSI engine has just received an International Engine of the Year honour. The Best Manufacturer Award in the Thatcham Security Awards is given to the car maker delivering the highest level of security throughout its complete model range.Full Article

The Peugeot 907 – a V12 GT coupé concept – is making its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Powered by a 6.0-litre 500bhp V12 engine, the one-off carbon fibre concept is being demonstrated in the Supercar Run at approximately 1.20pm on Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 July. The 907 concept was created as the archetypal grand touring car – a two-seater coupé – and with a nod to the era of the great coachbuilders, this coupé combines a large capacity engine within a classical shape. It also provided the first clue to the frontal style identity of the new 207 which has just gone on sale in the UK. The carbon fibre bodyshell features an integral glass roof and front windscreen harmonised with the rear windscreen. Side vents are situated in the front wings and rear quarter panels, while a retractable rear spoiler is incorporated in the tailgate. Full Article