The most successful car of its type ever made, the latest version of the M3 has a stonking V8 and huge power reserves, but still manages to be (slightly) more economical than the outgoing model. The new V8 model gives the powerful BMW a more relaxed demeanour (when you want it) but those huge reserves […]
McLaren P11 caught testing
A couple of weeks ago we reported that Ron Dennis was stepping down from control of McLaren F1, to concentrate on other projects in the McLaren group. One of the main ones was the development of McLaren’s new Ferrari bashing P11, a mid-engined lightweight 2 seater, in the mould of the old McLaren F1, but […]
VW Passat gets DSG
When you think of VW (Volkswagen, not the group as a whole) you don’t usually think of stylish coupes. Sensible hatchbacks and fairly boring saloons are what spring to mind, with one or two exceptions. And perhaps the biggest exception is the VW Passat CC. Spawned from the very middle of the road Passat, the […]
The hidden cost of fuel-efficient cars
Yesterday’s drive of the new Fiesta ECOnetic got me thinking. It’s astonishing what car makers can get out of a car these days. The new ECOnetic manages a combined figure of 76mpg. But it is still a proper sized car, with reasonable performance and capable of transporting the average family, and their stuff, in style. […]
Porsche reports big drop in sales
Well, it’s not exactly a surprise, given the doom and gloom in the industry at the moment, but Porsche has just reported a 27% drop in sales, down to 34,000 units, over the last six months. As you would expect, some models fared worse than others. The recently updated Porsche 911, which has had mid-cycle […]
New Ford KA – best in class
The Ford launch we went to today for the new Fiesta ECOnetic also had the new Ford KA to play with, and although we did a review of the Ford KA recently, I had not had the chance to play. So it seemed too good an opportunity to miss, so a little blat was had. […]
Ford Fiesta TDCi ECOnetic first drive
UPDATE 28/05/2009: FORD FIESTA ECONETIC ROAD TEST / REVIEW Cars UK has been out on a bit of a jolly today, to the depths of rural Hertfordshire for the press launch of the Ford Fiesta TDCi ECOnetic. Any excuse for a free lunch! So what’s it like, this planet-saving Fiesta? Well, ‘Green’ cars are not […]
Porsche GT3 to launch at Geneva
The next in line for the mid-life facelift (Gen 2) of the Porsche 911 is the GT3, following on from last year’s revisions to the Carrera and Targa. The GT3 has had only minor modifications to its looks, instead the detail, as you would hope, has gone on under the skin. The engine has gone […]
Fiat and BMW ready to announce deal
Don’t mention the war, Basil! The Germans and Italians look like they’re getting in bed together again, but this time the axis could provide some goodies for us all, and some cost saving benefits for both BMW and Fiat. Fiat, in a strong position after posting their best ever figures for 2008, is on a […]
Bentley Biofuel Supercar to debut at Geneva
We knew Bentley was playing with biofuel for its cars (and the Queen’s Bentley to boot!) and the first ‘Teaser’ news comes that the first car to use this technology for Bentley will be making an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March. As this is all tease and no detail, Bentley are not […]