Audi's five-door A1 unveiled at Tokyo Motot Show

Audi has unveiled the promised five-door version of its A1 supermini at the Tokyo motor show, and plans to have it in UK showrooms early in 2012. Called Audi A1 Sportback, the five-door is identical in size and style to the three-door, but designers have found an extra 6mm in both height and width, which they say improves rear-seat room, one of the few major points of criticism in the three-door.

The Audi A1 was an instant success when launched late last year, exceeding a planned annual sales rate of around 18,000 cars.

The company believes volume should increase further with the launch of the Audi A1 Sportback, which should eventually account for about 70 per cent of total sales.

Nissan commits to 370Z's future

The Nissan 370Z does have a long-term future in the Nissan’s future product line-up and any future smaller, lighter sports car would likely to be all-electric, Nissan product planning chief Andy Palmer has confirmed.

Speaking to Autocar at the Tokyo motor show, Palmer said Nissan would not follow Subaru and Toyota into making a smaller, lighter BRZ/GT 86-style sports cars as the 370Z was “one of the pillars of the brand, it won’t disappear”.

Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo Unveiled

The Alpina B3 S Bi-Turbo Coupe has moved firmly into Porsche 911 GT3 territory with this motorsport-inspired GTS special edition, unveiled at today’s Tokyo motor show.

Nismo Plan to produce hot Nissans

Nissan's Nismo tuning arm will have an expanded role with the firm's road car projects, starting with the Juke. The Nissan Juke Nismo Concept, revealed ahead of its Tokyo motor show debut tomorrow, is a Nismo-fettled more powerful, more focused version of the compact crossover and company sources have revealed to Autocar there is a desire to bring a production version to Europe.

Nissan is remaining coy on the exact power and performance details of the concept, but has said that the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol unit will be retuned to give more power. i have to say in my own opinion the Nissan Juke looks well out of shape, but with Nismo sorting it out, it will stand out much better on the street giving it thumbs up!

Subaru BRZ production car revealed

These are the first official images of the Subaru BRZ production car, which have been revealed on the eve of the Tokyo motor show. The BRZ is mechanically identical to the Toyota GT 86, which was revealed earlier this week, but has different body work and a different, more stripped down interior.

Subaru UK has also recently confirmed that the BRZ - short for Boxer, engine, Rear-drive, Zenith - will come to the UK next spring, although the adverse exchange rate of the Yen versus the Pound is forecast to keep prices high and limit sales to around 500 cars a year in the UK.

"Nissan EV's" to sell 1.5m by 2016

Nissan plans to sell up 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2016 as part of its latest 'Nissan Green Programme'. The strategy also includes new hybrid and fuel-cell systems, a new CVT transmission, and revised steel construction for its future models.

Nissan will cut the weight of all future models by 2013 when it switches to using ultra high tensile steels for their construction. The firm says the new material will result in a 15kg weight reduction model-to-model and also improve rigidity and reduce vibrations.

Toyota GT 86 to cost less than £28k

Toyota sources have indicated that the all-new Toyota GT 86 coupé will cost less than £28,000 when it reaches the UK next summer.

Earlier this week we learned that the Japanese manufacturer was considering a £28k price tag for its coupé, which was significantly more than the £22,000 cost that had been originally expected.

Now company insiders suggest that a mid-£20k price is more likely for the 143mph rear-drive machine, which will be launched at the Tokyo motor show this week.

BMW, Toyota plan engine link-up

Details have begun to emerge about a planned engine co-operation deal between BMW and Toyota.

Set to be made public at Tokyo motor show later this week, the co-operation is said to centre around the supply of four- and six-cylinder common rail diesel engines by BMW to Toyota for use in a wide range of models offered in Europe and other world markets.

In return, Toyota plans to provide BMW with hybrid technology used for combining combustion engines and electric motors.

Wireless charging for Nissan Leaf

A wireless charging system will be available for the Nissan Leaf from 2013. The system can be installed at either a private dwelling or in a public parking space and it does not impact on the Leaf's full recharge time of eight hours.

The wireless system will require some modifications to the Leaf, however, and will not be available as a retro-fit. It requires a revision to the battery software and some pads to be installed underneath the car.

Honda UK to resume full production

Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon is to increase its car production to normal levels from next month, allowing mass production of the new Honda Civic to commence.

The plant has experienced a difficult year, with production disrupted by parts delays caused first by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and subsequently by severe flooding in Thailand in October. The Thailand catastrophe led to a 50 per cent reduction in production at the Wiltshire site, which employs 3000 people, because several small electrical and engine components could not be sourced.

Next Honda NSX concept

Honda has revealed that it is working on a new concept that hints at a range-topping sports coupe.

Honda CR-Z Mugen to cost £23k

The 197bhp Honda CR-Z Mugen is due to arrive in February. It retains the same 1.5-litre hybrid unit as the standard car but gets a supercharger, re-mapped ECU, wider tracks and stiffer springs.

The compact front-wheel drive coupé will be capable of covering the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.1sec (over 3sec faster than the 124bhp standard car).

Around 2000 CR-Zs have been sold in the UK over the last year, and Honda sources admit that part of the reason for the Mugen is to “satisfy Type-R enthusiasts whilst there are no other hot Honda models around”

All New Toyota GT 86

Toyota’s all-new GT 86 coupe will cost around £28,000 when it reaches the UK next summer, considerably more than the £22,000 price tag that had been expected.

its 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine produces 197bhp at 7000rpm and 151lb ft at 6600rpm. Top speed for the 1180kg front-engined coupe is likely to be around 155mph.

The GT 86 can be ordered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto gearbox, the latter being controlled via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A limited-slip differential also features.

Toyota claims the GT 86’s dimensions of 4240mm in length and 1285mm in height (no width figure has been released) make it the most compact four-seater car in the world. It has an ultra-low centre of gravity, rated at just 475mm.

The powertrain and driving position have been set as low and as far back as possible to optimise balance, giving the car a 53/47 weight distribution. The GT 86 features MacPherson strut front suspension and rear double wishbone suspension, and will ride on 17in wheels.

'Ultimate' Subaru Impreza revealed

Subaru’s STI tuning arm has created this ultimate S206 version of the Impreza WRX STI. It is on show at the Tokyo motor show next week and has gone straight on sale in Japan – but like the special STI-tuned S202, S203, S204 and R205 models before it, UK buyers will be denied the car. No additional special models will be added to the WRX STI line-up in the UK before 2013, when an all-new 300bhp version is expected to be launched based on the new 2012 Impreza that’s recently gone on sale in the US and Japan.

Subaru claims the S206 is the “crown of its STI tune cars”. Changes to the S206 over the standard WRX STI include more power for its “exclusively-made” engine, a series of sporty styling upgrades and a complete makeover for its suspension.

Power from the 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine has been increased by 20bhp over the standard WRX STI to 316bhp and torque is up 18lb ft to 318lb ft. The under the bonnet changes include an enhanced twin-scroll turbocharger, STI-tuned ECU and sports muffler with lowered back pressure exhaust.

Suspension changes include exclusive Bilstein front shock absorbers and STI coil springs. There’s also a flexible tower bar and flexible draw stiffener at the front that Subaru claims offers improve straight-line performance and steadies the car while cornering to allow “precise and quick” adjustments mid-corner. New 19in BBS alloys with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres also feature. At the front, there’s a new spoiler, grille and lower bumper that result in improved aerodynamics, while at the rear the large fixed wing is removed. Inside, there’s Recaro racing bucket seats and Alcantara trim.

All New Race-inspired Lexus IS-F

Toyota’s race tuning division, TRD, has produced a motorsport-inspired version of the Lexus IS-F. The Lexus IS-F Circuit Club Sport was first shown off as a concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010, and the finished article is tipped to appear at next week’s motor show in the Japanese capital city.The interior has also received a carbonfibre makeover from TRD (Toyota Racing Development), although it hasn’t been revealed how much weight has been saved overall. TRD hasn’t made many tweaks under the bonnet, with the only major change being the addition of a new lightweight exhaust system, which boosts the V8’s power to 422bhp. Adjustable competition-spec dampers have been fitted, as well as forged aluminium wheels, larger brakes and a TRD limited-slip differential.

BMW 4-series cabrio Spy-shots

 These first spy pictures of the new BMW 4-series cabriolet in testing reveal that the retractable hard-top roof of the current 3-series cabrio will be retained.

There will also be an M version of the 4-series cabriolet, codenamed F33M. Like the 4-series coupe, this is likely to be badged M4 to create further distance between the M3 saloon and the M4 coupe and cabriolets. The adoption of the M4 badge for the coupe and cabriolet will also allow BMW to get the new M3 saloon to market earlier, with the two-doors not due until late 2014 at the earliest, at least a year after the M3.

There’s also likely to be a price hike, too, with engines coming from the higher-end of the new 3-series’ range and an increased level of equipment being offered.

Maybach to be Axed by Mercedes in 2013

The decision to disband Mercedes-Benz’s upper luxury marque comes after lacklustre sales of the company’s existing 57 and 62 limousines and a recent decision from chairman Dieter Zetsche not to push ahead with the development of replacement models – the likes of which were tentatively due out in 2014 – owing to what one insider describes as a "positive move to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand."

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Manual

The seven-speed manual is more of a technical than practical success. Perhaps the clue is in the fact that Porsche has seen fit to display the gear you are in at the centre of the instrument console; with seven gears to choose from you can both find yourself struggling to be confident with shifts and losing track of what gear you are in.

The 3.8-litre engine puts out 394bhp at 7400rpm, up 14bhp, and 324lb ft of torque, up 13lb ft. Coupled to the car loosing 40kg despite its greater size and added equipment,

whats your thoughts on the new Porsche 911 Carrera S ?

2012 Ford Mondeo Revealed

 

Ford is gearing up to unveil the most desirable Mondeo ever. With a look inspired by the stylish four-door Evos concept car, plus a host of 
hi-tech kit, the saloon will hope to shift its everyday image.

More conventional engines will make up the rest of the range, including Ford’s 1.6 
and 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol turbos. In the current car, 
the latter produces 200bhp and returns 36mpg economy, while the 1.6 – as found in the C-MAX 
– will offer 150bhp and 180bhp outputs. Also available will be a range of diesel models, including a 112bhp 1.6-litre TDCi and a 2.0 TDCi with 137bhp or 163bhp.

Under the skin will be a 
modified version of the current Mondeo’s front-wheel-drive 
chassis, which will include 
torque vectoring for the first time. 
This helps to shuffle power between the front wheels in 
corners to prevent understeer.

Inside, the impressive fit 
and finish and high-quality 
materials used in recent Fords will help the Mondeo bridge 
the gap to more expensive 
rivals from Audi and BMW. A range of hi-tech gadgets will make the newcomer one 
of the most advanced models 
on the road.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder

Lamborghini has revealed a new Gallardo supercar - the LP550-2 Spyder. Lamborghini says that the new model has unique suspension settings and also updated aerodynamics.

Dropping the standard car's four-wheel-drive system, it is the first rear-wheel drive Lamborghini convertible since the Diablo SV Roadster in the late 1990s.

Power comes from the same 542bhp 5.2-litre V10 engine as the Balboni edition, with a six-speed E-gear automated manual transmission. Lamborghini quotes a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 198mph. By comparison, the hard-top LP550-2 does 199mph.

There's no official on-sale date, but the Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder is expected to go on sale in the middle of 2012 with a price tag of around £160,000. An all-new Gallardo is expected to be revealed in 2013 ... i think i will wait until 2013 ...

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack?

a more practical and capable estate version of the German company's family car, which benefits from a toughened-up look and four-wheel drive hmm....

it follows a similar formula with a raised ride height, SUV-style protective trim around the bumpers, sills and wheel arches while it also boasts VW's 4MOTION four-wheel-drive system too. 

Two versions will be available for UK buyers, both of which are based on the 2.0-litre TDI 4MOTION model. 

The Passat Alltrack benefits from the same 'off-road driving programme' as the Tiguan and Touareg, activated by an off-road button on the dashboard. This tweaks the way the ABS and electronic differential systems (EDS) operate so that they are more effective on loose surfaces. In addition, the Alltrack has a hill descent control system too which is pretty impressive for a family estate.

2012 Audi A3 Revealed!

The new Audi A3 will be more stylish, luxurious and hi-tech than ever – and Auto Express has full details on the firm’s BMW 1 Series challenger, which will arrive first in sporty three-door form in early 2012.

The engine line-up will comprise 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre turbo petrol units delivering between 105bhp and 210bhp. Diesel options will use 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI engines with the most powerful producing around 170bhp. A frugal TDIe model producing around 100bhp but capable of more than 80mpg is also set to appear.

The three-door and saloon models arrive first early next year, while the five-door Sportback and Cabriolet – which is expected to be based on the longer wheelbase saloon, rather than the hatch – will follow late in 2013.