Volvo plots Golf rival, luxury saloon and sporty coupe

Volvo is creating an entry-level hatchback below theV40, spearheading a new range of Volvos that includes a new crossover and a BMW 5-series rival. The new cars will be based on one of two all-new architectures that’ll underpin the brand’s entire range from 2016. CAR has also learned a sporty 2+2 coupe is in the pipeline.

Is Volvo really going after the mainstream hatchback big boys?

Yes – it’s bye-bye to the quirky C30 three-door hatch, and into a new era of small models for Volvo. First on the new platform is a new entry-level crossover: the XC40. It’ll be sized and priced to bridge the gap between the jacked-up V40 Cross Country and the XC60 SUV, and will fight the upcoming Mercedes GLAand BMW X1 for posh crossover honours from 2015.

Next up will be a regular five-door hatchback, (smaller than the quasi-estate V40) and a slightly larger, more spacious replacement for the now-defunct S40 small saloon.

BMW X5 M (2014) spy shots of new super-SUV

Look away now, M Division purists: there’s a new BMW X5 M on the loose. The second generation of BMW’s super-SUV will arrive in 2014, with less weight, more power, and higher performance than the current car.

How can you tell this is an M Division BMW X5?

The tell-tale cues are quad exhaust pipes (a classic modern M car feature) and larger side skirts than we’ve seen on previous X5 mules. Behind the big alloys on low-profile rubber, the blue brake calipers denote an upgraded  braking system: all new M models get upgraded stoppers as standard, with carbon-ceramic discs (clamped by gold-painted calipers) a pricey cost option.

Vauxhall Adam Slam 1.4 (2013) UK CAR review

CAR first drove the Vauxhall Adam earlier this year, but that was a European-spec car on Portugese roads. The Adam copped a lot of stick for its ride and handling – which Vauxhall promised would be retuned for discerning British tastes (and shoddy British roads) on UK models. We’ve driven the sporty 1.4 ‘Slam’ model to see if the changes have worked.

Tell me about the spec of the Adam test car

Specification is everything with the Adam – and that’s by design, not accident. Vauxhall claims there’s a million ways to personalise yours, with different colours, wheels, interior trims, stickers, accessories… and of course a choice of engines. Our test car had the middling unit: a 1.4-litre petrol four-cylinder with 85bhp and 96lb ft, mated to the only gearbox option: a five-speed manual.
So, to the spec. Our Adam ‘Slam’ – the sporty trimline – gets ‘I’ll Be Black’ (read: black) mirrors and roof as standard, plus climate control, a digital radio, Bluetooth, cruise control, six airbags, chrome trim, sports suspension, and 17in alloy wheels.

VW XL1 (2013) CAR review

VW will build only 250 examples of its super-streamlined 313mpg XL1. CAR’s Georg Kacher has driven one of them to find out if it really can achieve its amazing claimed economy figures.

First impressions of the VW XL1

You enter the vehicle through mighty gullwing doors which are blown open by little integrated pyrotechnic devices should the poor thing ever come to rest on its roof after an accident. One sits on lightweight buckets in a staggered position, the driver closer to the dashboard than the passenger, to avoid rubbing shoulders and to warrant an ultra-slim frontal area that almost matches a cabin scooter.

Instead of mirrors, monitors integrated in the door panels depict in full colour what is happening behind your backs. Just about the only low-tech item inside this space-age plug-in VW are the manual window winders.

Porsche 911 Turbo S (2013) first official pictures

Porsche has topped off the 991-generation 911 range with a new Turbo and Turbo S model. The forced-induction 911 is the fastest Turbo yet, mixing Ferrari 458 levels of power with new chassis technology from the hardcore 911 GT3.

What are the new Porsche 911 Turbo’s performance stats?

In the standard Turbo, the twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat-six develops 512bhp, firing the car to 62mph in 3.2sec (0.1sec faster than the old 997 Turbo S). However, unlike previous 911 Turbos, Porsche is offering an uprated 911 Turbo S straight from launch. The Turbo S produces 552bhp, hits 62mph in 3.1sec, and tops out at 197mph. As with all turbocharged 911s since the 993 of 1995, the new cars are all-wheel drive, though this is the first Turbo not to be offered as a manual. Like the 911 GT3, the new car is only available with the seven-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox.

Range Rover Sport prototype (2013) CAR review

Our first chance to drive the new Range Rover Sport has come sooner than we might have expected. It had its world debut at the New York auto show a month ago, yet here we are in the UK at Land Rover's Gaydon test track, looking at a prototype with its driver's door open and engine running.

While we'd reiterate our usual reservations about driving a prototype on a test track in circumstances controlled by its manufacturer, two things reassure us. First, if you were presented with this late 'tool-test' prototype at your dealership in a few months time, you'd sign the cheque. Fit and finish was perfect. Second, the character of the Range Rover Sport is so different to that of the Range Rover that even a drive on the confines of a test track is immediately, abundantly informative.

Seat Leon Cup Racer and Ibiza Trophy racers set for 2013 Wörthersee show

By Ollie Kew

First Official Pictures

06 May 2013 13:00

Seat will show off two new racing cars at the 2013 Wörthersee tuning show, the annual event celebrating hot hatches from the VW Group. The Leon Cup Racer is our first look at Seat’s plans for a touring car version of the new Leon, while the Ibiza Trophy is the latest version of the track-ready supermini, boasting more power than the road car, and the facelifted styling.

Tell me about the Seat Leon Cup Racer

Visually, it’s a Leon turned up to 11. The massive wheelarch extensions add 40cm of width to the standard Leon bodyshell, and house lightweight 18in wheels. There’s a new front splitter and huge rear wing combo for high-speed downforce.

There's a lot more power too. Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, developing 325bhp. All that power (nearly 150bhp more than that of a road-going Leon 1.8TSI) is transmitted to the track via the front wheels only, using a six-speed DSG gearbox and an electronically locking front differential. The brakes have been upgraded with four-piston calipers all round.