Renault Zoe review

Renault’s electric charge will be spearheaded by the Zoe Z.E. model. A Clio-sized supermini – powered by electricity alone – the Zoe Z.E. will reach UK showrooms in Spring 2012.This Zoe Preview model is the very same concept car that was shown at the 2010 Paris motor show, although its creator, Axel Breun, Renault’s Director of Show Cars and Concept Cars, admits that it’s 90 per cent

Hyundai i10 1.0 Blue

It’s a car that Hyundai reckons could become a serious rival for eco-superminis like the VW Polo Bluemotion. No, seriously.The three-pot version of the revised i10, called Blue, could be a worthy contender. Its new 1.0-litre motor has 68bhp and trims a second from the 0-62mph of the old 1.1 i10. But the Blue also comes with stop-start, low-resistance tyres and a gearshift indicator, so it

Nissan Note 1.4 N-tec review

The Note's suspension hits a fine balance between ride quality and handlingIt's as spacious and practical as ever, thanks to its tall roofline and clever packagingAt town speeds, the 1.4-litre Note makes steady progress and feels lively enoughExecutive levels of spec inside but the seats offer little supportPlenty of space for four, an array of cubby holes and sliding rear benchClever packaging

Geneva motor show: Toyota's hybrids

Toyota has revealed the first image of its forthcoming Yaris hybrid, a model that will be showcased at the Geneva motor show in March. The firm has also confirmed that its larger Prius model will be a seven-seater in European markets.The Yaris teaser image, revealed via a company blog website, shows the nose of the car. It’s clearly a development of the model that was revealed recently in Japan

Nissan Micra 1.2 Tekna review

Headlamps are not as distinctive as the model they replace. Tekna cars get chrome grille surroundMoulded rear wing is designed to improve aerodynamics We like the way the roof extends back to itRide is more supple than that of most rivals at low speeds, but handling is dullMicra is safe and predictable, offering nothing in the way of nasty surprisesGenerally, in extreme cornering, the Micra

Toyota Yaris 1.33 2011

Toyota Yaris 1.3LPrice: £13,300 (est); Top speed: 105mph; 0-62mph: 9.0sec; Economy: 61.5mpg; (combined); CO2: Under 115g/km; Kerb weight: 1000kg; Engine: 4 cyls, 1329cc, petrol; Power: 94hp at 6000rpm; Torque: 89lb ft at 4000rpm; Gearbox: CVT

Peugeot 508 2.2 HDi 204 GT Car Review

Peugeot's new large saloon and estate, the 508 straddles (and replaces) Peugeot's 407 and 607 models. Peugeot claiming the 508 offers interior space to match the 607, but within smaller exterior dimensions, and that although it is 10cm longer than the 407, that it weighs an average of 35Kg less.In addition to the two bodystyles the 508 comes with two alternative suspension configurations. Most

Mercedes CLS 63 AMG auto car review

The new CLS 63 AMGIt receives a bespoke engine and transmission and a new front axleThe extensive styling changes inside and out are the icing on a seriously re-engineered cakeChassis gives amount of information about the road surface to the seat and wheelThere’s a strong feeling of an almost unbushed connection with the roadEngine’s delivery still has some of the flavour of natural aspirationIt

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium X

Here is the all-new version of our favourite hatchbackThis is Ford's first entry into the high powered diesel end of the classFocus is extremely quiet, extraordinarily so for one powered by a high output, 4-pot diesel engineFord has retained its game-changing 'control blade' independent rear suspension architectureExterior detailing isn't to everones likingExterior detailing isn't to everones

Detroit motor show: Kia KV7 Sport Car Concepts

Kia has designed its KV7 concept to showcase its vision for the large MPV sector, particularly in the US.Revealed at the Detroit motor show, the Californian-penned "convention-challenging” show car is nearly 4.9m long and more than two metres wide. Its most striking feature is a gullwing passenger-side door.See the Kia KV7 concept - now updated with Detroit show picsThe car is powered by Kia’s

Ford C-Max 1.6 Titanium Auto Car Review

Here is the the new 124bhp 1.6-litre petrol motor, mated to the standard five-speed manual gearboxIt's comfortable, quiet, practical and very well equippedFord C-Max 1.6 125 TitaniumPrice: £18,745; Top speed: 117mph; 0-62mph: 11.5sec; Economy: 42.8mpg (combined); CO2: 154g/km; Kerb weight: 1374kg; Engine: 4 cyls, 1596cc, petrol; Power: 123bhp at 6000rpm; Torque: 118lb ft at 4000rpm; Gearbox 5-spd

Mercedes C-class coupe Auto Car Saloon and Estate Models

Official brochure images of the new Mercedes C-class coupe have leaked out ahead of its motor show debut at Geneva in March.The new C-class coupe has been conceived to replace the CLK, discontinued earlier this year after 12 years and two model generations. It also spells the end for the CLC, a small sports hatch that was only recently updated.See the leaked pics of the Mercedes C-class coupeThe

Auto Car : Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE

Volkswagen set the tone for the new Passat at a group preview event, which took place on the night before the Paris motor show opened last October. Through varying degrees of pizzazz involving flames, exploding crates and mock pit garages emerged Lamborghinis, Skodas, Bentleys and Audis.Then, accompanied by nothing more than a puff of dry ice, out pootled the 'new' Passat. "Look," they said. "

Saab 9-5 2.0 TTiD Aero

The range-topping 'TTiD' diesel version of Saab's 9-5 saloon, complete with a brand new twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine that will also end up powering the Vauxhall Insignia.And it's a car with plenty of weight on its shoulders. The various ranks of the UK motoring press have, as one, voiced the same criticisms of Saab's lesser 2.0-litre TiD '160' 9-5: there's no shortage of consensus

Infiniti M Series 3.0d V6 S Premium

S-trim models get a different front-end look to distinguish them from regular versionsDistinctive upturned boot lip was designed to improve airflow and create zero lift at high speedsGreater poise of S version comes at the price of an unsettled low-speed rideOn turn-in, tyhe M's steering is perhaps less fluid than that of a BMW 5-series or Mercedes E-classIn non-4WS models the Infiniti sometimes

Mercedes-Benz B-Class B55

It’s a B-class – but not as we know itSuperbly constructed one-off prototype is well removed from the standard B-classTo cope with increased performance adopts the brakes from the decade-old C32 AMGWith a kerb weight of 1620kg it is decently quick in a straight lineThe B55 looks rather striking for what is essentially a high-powered MPV5.5-litre petrol V8 packing 383bhpTurn the key and you’re

Mini One 1.6D

Its character is very much in keeping with any Mini petrol engineLower-powered version of the new 1.6-litre BMW diesel engine producing 89bhp and 159lb ft of torqueOne D feels sprightly enough to avoid leaving its driver frustratedEven in basic One spec, it still retains all that Mini charmOne D is comfortable inside, thanks in part to its 16-inch alloy wheelsMini One DPrice: £14,175; Top speed:

New Vauxhall VXR8 revealed

Vauxhall is promising improvements to refinement and performance with the next-generation VXR8, revealed this week ahead of its arrival in UK dealers next March.The Holden Special Vehicles-built super-saloon now takes the Aussie firm’s GTS model as its base, instead of the more lowly Clubsport R8 that was used for the first VXR8.See the official pics of the new Vauxhall VXR8 :So while Vauxhall’s

New Daihatsu Move launched

Toyota’s subsidiary company, Daihatsu, has unveiled its new Move in Japan.Power comes courtesy of a 0.66-litre petrol unit - featuring stop-start - and produces 51bhp and 44lb ft of torque.Shorter in length than Fiat’s 500, the Move is available with either front or four-wheel drive and is said to be the most efficient petrol car in Japan, the company claims.Compared with its predecessor, the new

Jeep Compass facelift unveiled

Jeep has officially revealed its revised Compass off-roader model for 2011.The facelifted model features include a new bonnet with "a subtle power bulge", a revised front grille and headlights and plastic body cladding "to fend off debris when driving in challenging weather conditions". The changes give the car the look of Jeep’s larger Grand Cherokee.See the official pics of the new Jeep Compass