Fiesta ECOnetic to debut in Paris - Fiesta ECOnetic

Ford has plunged to new lows with the Fiesta ECOnetic – the supermini uses less fuel and produces less CO2 than any car to wear the blue oval!

Kamasa Multi-Bit Screwdriver

CARS today have so many different trim fasteners that a good screwdriver set is essential. And this new Kamasa Multi-Bit kit caters for 11 of the most common types.

Ten bits are kept inside the handle, with the last in the drive itself. The internal storage works well with a damped feel to the action, although it is slow to open fully. Unfortunately, at the other end the pen-style cap hides a cheap-looking fake chrome collar.

Audi lifts lid on A5

The A4 isn’t the only Audi range that’s set to expand – as these grainy spy shots prove. This is the A5 Cabriolet, which will signal the end for the current A4 drop-top when it makes its world debut on the stands at the Paris Motor Show next month.

V6 power as S4 charges in!

These are the first pictures of Audi’s latest S-express: the all-new S4. And the company is bucking wthe trend of installing bigger engines with each new generation – as the car has lost a pair of cylinders!

Citroens at double!

You wait ages for a new Citroen, then two come along at once. As the French marque reveals its facelifted C4 hatch, the forthcoming C3 remains well under cover.

The new C4 gets a revised grille and resculpted bonnet, plus new colours and interior trims. Citroen says the fit and finish are improved inside, as is the layout. The rev counter has been moved from the steering wheel into the central display.

500 Abarth esseesse

Fiat's cute 500 has turned over to the dark side! This is the 500 Abarth 'esseesse', and it's the meanest iteration of the 500 ever!

The esseesse (pronounced "essay essay") certainly looks the part with its lowered ride, 17-inch alloys and dual exhaust pipes integrated into the rear splitter.

24h star cleans up

It’s a race car, but not as we know it... The new 908 HY (right) has a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, and is Peugeot’s hope for glory at the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours. It’s fitted with a 60kw electric motor and 10 lithium-ion battery packs, which are topped up through regenerative braking. The result? A 20-second power boost each lap which the driver can use to overtake or save fuel. Bosses are keen to stress the car’s technology will filter on to future road models.

Peugeot readies hybrid 3008

Meet the Peugeot Prologue – but this is one car that needs little introduction!

It’s a prototype for the firm’s soon-to-be-released 3008 SUV, which we spied in January (Issue 996). And even in pre-production form, it looks ready to take on all-comers in the mini SUV-MPV crossover market.

Brands set for BTCC shoot-out

Both will be aiming to clinch the drivers’ crown when they take to the track at this weekend’s season finale at Brands Hatch, Kent.

On present form, it’s Vauxhall ace Giovanardi who is favourite to snatch the coveted prize. The Italian holds a 44-point advantage over arch-rival Plato, with a mere 45 points up for grabs. But Plato will want to go out on a high, following SEAT’s recent announcement that it will quit the series at the end of the season. There will also be a battle for the Independents’ Trophy, with Team RAC’s Colin Turkington holding a narrow 22-point lead over Mat Jackson of BMW Dealer Team UK.

Sneak peek shock for Chevy Volt

Alongside are the people who helped to create it, including Tony Pasawatz the Vehicle Line Director.

GM planned to release these photos of the world’s first plug-in hybrid at its centenary next week, but an unknown source leaked them. The final model has an aerodynamic front end and a high boot lip spoiler, giving a chunky stance. The snaps also reveal other interesting features, such as the futuristic LED foglights.

Luxurious Golf shows its class

This is VW’s most sumptuous family hatch ever, badged the Collectors Edition. It’s the work of design chief Walter de Silva, and gets a unique paintjob and high-grade leather cabin.

Vauxhall Astra inside out - Vauxhall Astra

The inside’s out for the new Astra! We’ve seen mules of the forthcoming Astra before, confirming that the shape won’t change dramatically beyond the current model, but these pictures show its interior virtually undisguised for the first time.

Focus ST Mountune Unleashed - Ford Focus ST Mountune

Ford has today announced an approved Mountune performance upgrade for the Focus ST hatchback.

Crossman ready to score on doors

We revealed the rugged version of the British car in Issue 1,029, ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut next month. And its innovations are already causing a stir.

Taking a leaf out of the Clubman’s book, the Crossover has asymmetrical doors: a conventional rear door on the passenger side, but a ‘lift and slide’ hatch opposite. Impressively, the latter does without an ungainly Peugeot 1007-style exterior track, concealing the mechanism inside the door instead. On top of the car sits what MINI designers have called the ‘helmet roof’ due to the curved rear section and the shape of the glass. It features a solar panel, suggesting a hybrid variant could be on the cards.

Ka’s basic instinct

The baby Ford will make its world debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show, but company bosses have already confirmed trim levels. There’s a choice of Studio, Style, Style + and Zetec, each with its own unique styling features and equipment. Buyers will also be able to specify optional extras such as Bluetooth phone connectivity and heated seats.

Wraps off gullwing Renault

According to the company, the Ondelios is an environmentally friendly crossover that can carry six passengers in sumptuous comfort. And, due to its advanced hybrid powertrain, those on board can travel with a clean, green conscience.

Vettel makes his mark

Following an impressive pole position in qualifying, the German put in a mature performance to finish ahead of McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen and the BMW Sauber of Robert Kubica.

The first two laps at Monza were run behind the safety car, until organisers decided that the wet track could be raced on.

Peugeot Prologue

Here’s Peugeot’s ‘Prologue…’ to the 3008 SUV!

The French maker has today released pictures of this, the Prologue… (complete with full stops) – an electric hybrid concept with 200bhp and CO2 emissions of only 109g/km!

The car you see here is very close to the production-ready 3008; a more compact brother to the 4007 SUV set to take on rivals like the Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan. Based on 308 underpinnings, Pug’s latecomer to the mini-SUV party is due to hit UK showrooms in 2010.

Panamera emerges - Porsche Panamera

Porsche has today released the first official image of the new Panamera.

The image shows very little of the all-new model, though it represents the first approved appearance of the saloon after a steady stream of spy shots showing Porsche’s worst kept secret.

SsangYong gets tough

It’s the first SsangYong to have a monocoque construction – all previous models from the company have had a separate body bonded to the chassis.

When it appears at the Paris Motor Show next month, the C200 will feature a 2.0-litre diesel producing 175bhp. This is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. A spokesman for SsangYong UK told us: “This marks the start of our push to release 20 new models in the next five years. And the car in Paris will be even more production ready than this computer rendering suggests.”

Citroen C4

Citroen has freshened up the C4, and these are the first official images.

A raft of interior, exterior and mechanical updates have been made to the quirky French hatch – including the introduction of two new petrol engines co-developed with BMW.

The new 1.6-litre engines – a 118bhp VTi and a turbocharged 148bhp THP unit – combine fuel economy of 42.2mpg and 40.9mpg with emissions of 159g/km and 164g/km respectively. To drive down emissions across the range, HDi models will now be equipped with low rolling resistance Michelin tyres as standard.

Citroen's secret

This is Citroen's brand-new GT concept and it's set to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show.

We discovered this picture on the popular photo-sharing website Flickr and sources have confirmed the hi-res image was uploaded by Sony the result of its Gran Turismo roots.

K.O 7 production begins

Here’s a pair of sports cars set to KO the competition!

The K.O 7 Spider and K.O 8 Coup you see here are the handiwork of Ken Okuyama, former design chief at Pininfarina and now owner of Ken Okuyama Design – Japan’s first independent coachbuilder.

Cleaner RX heads Lexus show stars

The hybrid 4x4 – first seen a year ago at the Tokyo Motor Show – gives plenty of clues about the look of 2009’s all-new RX off-roader.

It features a new hybrid system, too. The production car, due next summer, will have the bigger 3.5-litre V6 from the GS450h, and its fifth-generation petrol-electric set-up is smaller, lighter and more efficient. As a result, it improves on the current variant’s 34.9mpg economy and 192g/km emissions. And Lexus is expected to ditch the petrol version of the RX in the face of dwindling sales.

Chevrolet Volt

Feast your eyes on Chevy’s electric future!

This is the Chevrolet Volt, officially unveiled today to mark the American car maker’s centenary celebrations – and parent company GM claims it will change the face of motoring!

When production begins, the Volt will become the first mass-produced car in history to be powered by means other than the internal combustion engine.

TwinTop's a hit for kit

While Vauxhall is busy on the new Astra, it’s not forgetting about the existing car. So it’s unveiled a VXR styling pack
for the TwinTop, to keep the metal-roofed cabrio – not due to be replaced until the end of next year – on top of its game.

Mercedes Fascination concept

Mercedes has given us a glimpse into its future – and it looks fascinating. Merc took the wraps of its new Fascination concept for the first time today, and it’s set to be the blueprint for the next-generation of E-class.

Revealed: The true cost of eco driving

Going green could cost more than motorists think. Eco badges such as Bluemotion, ECOnetic and ecoFLEX promise a car is kinder to the environment and your wallet. But an Auto Express investigation has revealed it could take more than six years of pump savings before buyers see any financial benefit!

Slick Soul hits the road!

Kia’S new Soul is out on the open road, and here’s the first picture of the hatch in action! It’s set to take centre stage on the Korean firm’s stand when it makes its world debut at next month’s Paris Motor Show. The right-hand-drive version will go into production in March, before appearing in showrooms later in the spring.

Tested - PCL AFG1H08 tyre inflator

As fuel prices soar, it has never been so important to keep your tyres correctly inflated. A tiny loss of pressure can send your consumption spiralling – but combine this new PCL inflator with a small mains compressor, and you’ll have no excuse, as it makes the job so easy.

Hilux freshens up

Toyota's tough Hilux pick-up has been given a mid-life facelift! The 2009 model gets a new grille and bumper with a wider air intake, while fresh 15 and 17-inch alloys complete the external modifications.

Inside, there’s a revised steering wheel, which now incorporates stereo controls, and air-con is added to the standard kit tally.

Number up for next Getz

Check out this ‘i-catching’ new Hyundai! It’s the i20, which is set to make its debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

The firm’s Getz replacement goes on sale in January initially as a three-door – but it will face some stiff competition from the latest Ford Fiesta, which is available to order now.

Tested - Philip’s Road Atlas

As sat-navs eat into the sales of traditional maps, top publisher Philip’s has come up with a neat innovation on its 2009 editions. MapEasy sees each atlas bundled with transparent write-on, wipe-off sheets to help drivers plan their route.

Brewer's little Italy

An Italian motor. Ferraris, Alfas, Maseratis – you name it, I love it, as these cars are built with such passion and character. They might not have a reputation for dependability, but Italian vehicles are never boring and always put a smile on your face.

It’s game on for hot new Twingo

Even though it’s not on sale until next week, you can road test the Renaultsport Twingo right now! The pocket rocket features in an online racing game at www.twingo-renaultsport.com which is totally free to enter.

New MINI Crossman muscles in

The wraps are officially off MINI’s new 4x4 this week. Tipped to bear the name Crossman, the SUV is targeted at buyers downsizing from bigger, full-blown off-roaders. And just like the current Clubman before it, the new Crossman is packed with challenging concepts.

Land Rover turns 60

Auto Express is celebrating Land Rover's 60th anniversary with a very special road test of the makers most famous models.

We aim to choose the best 4x4 the firm has ever made, but before we do, we want to know which of the Solihull built legends is your top pick?

Citroen C3 Picasso

There’s more than a hint of cubism about the latest Picasso!

This is the new Citroen C3 Picasso, a mini-MPV due to make its debut at the Paris Motor show next month before it hits showrooms in Summer 2009.

The newcomer is certainly an eye-catcher, thanks to its funky detailing and boxy shape – a trait Citroen claims endows the Picasso with class-leading space and flexibility.

Council rethink as sign theft surges

It’s a sign of the times! Thieves are targeting road signs following a rise in the prices paid for scrap steel and aluminium. And county councils have been forced to take drastic measures – swapping high-value aluminium signs for reinforced polyester alternatives.

Formula Anti Glare - tested

While this little pink stick doesn’t look like much, it claims to keep your glass and mirrors water, steam and glare-free. The new Formula Anti Glare is easy to use – just rub on and buff off – although for best results ours needed a couple of applications.

Becker 7827 sat-nav - tested

Producing a sat-nav that stands out from the hundreds on the market isn’t easy. Yet this latest model from Becker really catches the eye.

There is no questioning the style of the 7827, from the high-gloss piano black panels to the glowing red edges. Sadly, the same can’t be said of the user interface, which we found confusing.

Next Astra comes out of the shadows

Details may still be sketchy, but Auto Express has got these exclusive teaser images of Vauxhall’s new Astra.

The next Astra will take styling inspiration from the recently revealed Insignia – so the ‘blade’ and ‘wing’ themes found on that car will feature prominently, as owner General Motors seeks to take the fourth-generation model upmarket.

Audi’s ‘son-of-R8’ is ready to roar

The R8’s little brother has been let out to play! These exclusive pictures show the fastest TT ever – and it’s the first version of Audi’s compact coup to wear the historic RS badge.

Crimewatch - eye in the sky takes off

Police have a new weapon in the war against speeders. A helicopter fitted with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), radar speed detection and a ‘Skyshout’ public address system – which warns drivers they’re being tracked – is being trialled in Essex.

Rain can’t hold Gio back

Not even a downpour could dampen Fabrizio Giovanardi’s charge for a second consecutive BTCC crown. The Vauxhall driver scored a victory and a podium place over the course of three races at Silverstone on Sunday.

Wait’s over for hybrid

Say ‘hy’ to Honda’s new petrol-electric hybrid. As Auto Express closed for press, the firm announced that it would release the first pictures of its five-door Global Hybrid on 4 September.

It’s due to debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October, and the newcomer has been shrouded in secrecy. However, we can reveal that the production car will be launched at the Detroit expo in January.

Honda Insight hybrid

Here’s the Honda that will bring hybrid motoring to the masses! This is the first official shot of what Honda is calling its affordable family hybrid car and it has its sights set on Toyota’s Prius.

Called the Insight, it revives the name from the 1999 Insight coupe - the first production hybrid to be sold in Europe. And this car looks set to break new ground too.

Loeb ready to make history

Citroen ace Sebastien Loeb is on course to claim a record fifth world crown, following a dramatic win on Rally New Zealand. The leading factory Fords struck trouble while in the lead, enabling the Frenchman to secure victory ahead of his team-mate Dani Sordo on the penultimate stage. Pacesetter Mikko Hirvonen suffered a puncture and a spin, relegating him to third. His fellow Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala was on course for a second-place finish when his car’s radiator was damaged on a rock, ending the event for him.

It’s Carnival time for Kia’s Meriva!

The party is just getting started at Kia, with an all-new model called the Carnival joining the line-up.

Our spies have grabbed these pictures of the five-door, which has previously been labelled the Cee’d Plus. It’s a completely new model, built on the Korean company’s B-segment platform. That’s the same one being used for the upcoming Soul, as well as a bigger family MPV called the Rio, due in 2011.

Ka CC drops in, too

The ST isn’t the only Ka on the way – a convertible is coming, too! The new Ka drop-top arrives in showrooms in 12 months, and will lock horns with the recently announced Fiat 500 cabriolet. But while the Italian model uses a lightweight, canvas roof, Ford insiders say the firm will engineer a folding hard-top using the lessons learned from the Focus CC.