Vauxhall Astra VXR

Vauxhall has released the first pictures of its stunning new 155mph Astra VXR which is the most powerful production Vauxhall ever built. This 280PS coupe is based on the Astra GTC platform and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine.

It has a had a raft of bespoke chassis modifications and a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential, which works on the front wheels. Working with the High Performance Strut system, the VXR offers exceptional grip and traction through bends. The car also has specially adapted Bembo brakes, Vauxhall’s adaptive FlexRide system featuring not only a Sport button, but a VXR button too.

Astra VXR - rear view

Outside the VXR gets a specially sculpted front and rear bumper, side skirts, roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape. Inside the VXR the bespoke performance seats have embossed logos in the backs, a flat bottomed VXR steering wheel and upgraded instruments. The UK is likely to be the biggest market for the VXR in Europe and more details will be released next year.

Volkswagen CC

Volkswagen has released the first images of their new CC, before it makes its official unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November the 18th. The CC is the replacement for the Passat CC and offers four-door practicality with sleek coupe-like styling.

In the UK the engine range will comprise of a 1.8-litre TSI 160 PS or 2.0-litre TSI 210 PS petrol models plus a 2.0-litre diesel engine with either 140 PS or 170 PS on offer. Any model with 170 PS or more also gets XDS differential (electronic cross-axle traction control) as standard.

The front of the car has a new radiator grille with strong horizontal lines that demonstrates Volkswagen’s new design DNA and is flanked by new bi-xenon headlights and finished off with a reprofiled bumper. The frameless doors are carried over from the previous model but with more sculpted sills.

Volkswagen CC rear

At the rear the bumper has had a complete redesign with new LED tail lights and as usual, the Volkswagen logo doubles as the handle for the boot. The CC has a comprehensive standard equipment list and now includes new features such as the standard driver alert system and will go on sale in early 2012, with first deliveries expected for the new 12 plate in March.

New BMW 3 Series saloon

BMW has released the first pictures and details of their new 3 Series, the sixth generation of the world’s best selling premium saloon car. The new BMW 3 Series goes on sale in February 2012 with four engines at launch (see below), with more to follow.

The new 3 Series offers more space, comfort and luxury and is slightly longer than the outgoing model and there will also be more trim levels available. The new BMW 3 Series comes in ES, SE, Sport and, in 2012, M Sport versions of the saloon, but there will be trim levels, namely Sport , Modern and Luxury, all offering their own unique DNA.  At launch the popular ES and SE will be available, with the other trims following on later next year and BMW also has plans for a four-wheel drive and hybrid version too.

An eight-speed automatic gearbox (instead of six-speed) is now available right across the range and all versions also feature Drive Performance Control as standard. This allows you to switch between four driving modes – ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport + (Sport + is only included on Sport models or with some selected optional equipment). All engines will also feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and VALVETRONIC variable valve opening technology.

New BMW 3 Series saloon

All models have 17-inch light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres linked to a Tyre Puncture Warning System as standard, apart from the 320d EfficientDynamics, which has 16-inch aerodynamic alloys and non-Run-flat tyres. 

The range at launch:

New Jensen Interceptor

Healey Sports Cars Switzerland (HSCS) has appointed CPP Group Holdings to engineer, develop and build the all-new Jensen Interceptor. CPP will manufacture the Jensen Interceptor at a new production facility on Browns Lane in Coventry, from 2014.

The new Jensen Interceptor is based on an all-aluminium chassis and handcrafted aluminium body and should be ready for unveiling to the public in 2012, with deliveries to customers by the beginning of 2014, if all goes to plan.

All-new Jensen Interceptor

Liam Cardiff, director of Healey Sports Cars Switzerland, said,”CPP is the perfect partner to revive the Jensen Interceptor. With the Jensen design team integrated into an organisation with much greater resources and broader expertise, our dream of seeing the Jensen and Interceptor badges once again adorning the bonnets of beautiful, modern, British-built GT cars has come closer to reality”.

Jaguar E-Type

The Goodwood Revival came to a close yesterday and among the 140,000 visitors that attended the event were some famous faces, such as the TV and radio broadcaster, Chris Evans, and musician Jay Kay. The weekend saw a selection of vintage cars from Jaguar’s sporting heritage take to the track and several Jaguar models were on static display as well.

Supermarine Spitfire

The St. Mary’s Trophy race was won by a trio of Jaguar Mk2 saloons that took part against the thundering Ford Galaxie 500 musclecars.

Plus there was an incredible display of 14 Supermarine Spitfires that took to the skies for an aerial acrobatic display as they skimmed the tree tops, marking the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire maiden flight.

New Honda Civic

The wraps were taken off the eagerly awaited new Honda Civic at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this week and the new Civic showed off its distinctive new dynamic, flowing exterior design, which is is finished off with a a high quality interior.

The new ninth-generation Honda Civic has a much more sportier look than the previous model with a clear, dynamic shape. The car has had significant testing to reduce air resistance and as such offers better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions as well.

The first Civic was launched as far back as 1972 and over 20 million cars have been sold globally. With over 650,000 sold in the UK, this is an important new model launch for the brand. Honda has been featuring a series of design videos and has now released the fourth film which can be found at www.youtube.com/hondacivicUK. The new Honda Civic will go on sale in the UK from early 2012.

New Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche will have the world premiere of the next-generation Porsche 911 Carrera at the IAA 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The 911 Carrera is powered by a new 3.4-litre engine developing 350 hp while the Carrera S has the 400 hp version of the 3.8-litre engine.

The 3.4-litre Carrera with PDK accelerates from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds and if you press the Sport Plus button on the optional Sport Chrono Pack, this reduces to 4.4 seconds. The 3.8-litre Carrera S with PDK performance figures are 4.3 seconds and with Sport Plus, 4.1 seconds. The new 911 Carrera with its new 3.4-litre engine and optional PDK also emits 194g/km of CO2, which is the first Porsche sports car to sit below 200g/km.

Standard equipment on all models includes leather interior, sports seats, automatic climate control, Bi-Xenon headlights, 7-inch colour touch-screen Porsche Communication Management with satellite navigation, audio interface with MP3 compatibility, Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and a three-year warranty.

Mercedes C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series

Mercedes-Benz has released the preliminary details of their new Mercedes C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series which is the most powerful C-Class of all time. This stunning new sports saloon has a spectacular design with technology and driving dynamics transferred from the world of motor sport.

Mercedes C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series is unveiled

It is powered by a 6.3-litre V8 engine that has incredible acceleration, torque and pulling power and this raw muscle powers the car from 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds (provisional).

Add to this AMG coil-over sports suspension, AMG compound braking system plus the option of an AMG Track Package to maximise its sports credentials and this new car promises high-calibre performance.

The AMG Track Package consists of sports tyres and active rear-axle transmission cooling, plus the AMG aerodynamics package including flics, a functionally tuned front splitter plus an adjustable carbon fibre aerofoil.

Key data

* Preliminary data

"Cygnette & colette"

Aston Martin and the Parisian fashion authority, colette, have joined forces to produce a new limited edition “Cygnette & colette” city car with only 14 examples of this hand-built car being produced. This striking limited edition comes in Lightning Silver paint with exclusive colette blue styling details.

These include a race collection inspired front bumper and bonnet livery, mirror caps and diamond turned road wheels. This exclusive limited edition Aston Martin features a Bitter Chocolate themed interior with inspiration taking from colette’s mascot Oscar, the chocolate-brown Labrador.

New BMW 1 Series

BMW has announced the details of their new second-generation BMW 1 Series compact range, which goes on sale in the UK on the 17th September 2011. All models come with all-new TwinPower turbocharged petrol engines (two) and revised diesel engines (three) and there will also be a new BMW 116d EfficientDynamics 99g/km model (later in the year) that breaks the 100g/km barrier for the first time.

An ECO PRO mode is a new feature on all models, which adjusts BMW’s various on-board systems to maximise efficiency and of course all models benefit from BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology. The new BMW 1 Series is available in either a six-speed manual transmission or a new eight-speed automatic transmission, with the latter available in Sport configuration as well.

Standard specification consists of satin silver interior and Move cloth seats (with other options on interiors available) with three standard and five metallic exterior paint options. The SE specification adds a 6.5-inch flatscreen monitor and is operated by BMW’s innovative iDrive controller, has Bluetooth hands-free facility, USB audio interface and a multi-function leather steering wheel.

There are also two new exclusive models being added, BMW Sport model and BMW Urban model and we will be loading BMW contract hire leasing prices on the new range shortly.

The model options are as follows:

                          * on standard 16-inch wheels