Top Gear decided to reveal the identity of their Test Pilot. There were rumours that The Stig is Damon Hill or Ben Collins. But who can imagine that it could be Michael Schumaher.
The best driver ever – The Stig is Michael Schumaher. There is no question about it and that explains a lot. (more…)
Toyota’s iQ range is extended for the first time since launch with the introduction to the line-up of a 1.33-litre engine. The highly efficient lightweight unit, already successfully deployed in Auris, Yaris and Urban Cruiser is offered exclusively in the new iQ3 model.
Benefiting from Toyota Optimal Drive technology for a class-leading combination of power, fuel economy and low emissions, it uses Dual VVT-i control of both intake and exhaust valves to deliver strong torque at low to medium engine speeds and achieve maximum efficiency. (more…)
As a great demonstration of Volkswagen’s legendary durability, a 56-year old Transporter van has just achieved a top speed of 102.84 mph and done the quarter mile sprint at the Santa Pod racetrack in a time of 12.65 seconds.
Although this in itself represents a new world record for a non-turbocharged Volkswagen van, this unique 1953 Transporter, run by a team from Frankfurt, Germany, is planning to beat the record of 12.5 seconds for any Volkswagen van when it returns to Santa Pod for the annual ‘Bug Jam’ Volkswagen enthusiasts event from 17-19 July. (more…)
Mercedes-Benz is launching the SLK 2LOOK Edition just in time for summer. The striking special edition enhances the already stunning SLK Roadster with unique colour options inside and out, while increased standard equipment ensures driver and passenger alike have everything they could need for perfect drop-top driving this summer. (more…)
The Golf model lineup has been growing by leaps and bounds: At the end of 2008, the sixth generation of the bestseller was launched. Shortly thereafter, in early 2009, the new Golf Plus appeared. Then, the current Golf GTI was vaulted to center stage, closely followed by the new Golf Variant. And now the lineup continues: with the new Golf GTD. Its 125 kW / 170 PS power level makes it the highest-performance production Golf with a diesel engine today. (more…)
The Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe featuring the new Start/Stop technology has scooped the top honour and been named Green Car of the Year at the prestigious 2009 What Car? Green Car Awards.
The Volvo S40 DRIVe beat the BMW 118d and the Renault Megane to the top spot in the Small Family category and then stormed ahead to achieve victory over all the other category winners, including the Audi A8 and MINI Cooper S, to be awarded the prestigious overall What Car? Green Car of the Year title. (more…)
Renault’s Megane R26.R continues to set benchmark lap times at UK tracks. Last year, the Megane R26.R established a new lap record for a front-wheel drive production car at the 13-mile Nürburgring circuit in Germany with a time of just 8 minutes 17 seconds. Following its arrival on UK shores, the R26.R has now set benchmark times at Silverstone, Bedford Autodrome, Millbrook and Bruntingthorpe. (more…)
Climbing into a car that’s been parked for a while on even a moderately sunny day can be an uncomfortable experience and is likely to provoke full-blast operation of the air conditioning, using up fuel and increasing emissions. Toyota has solved the problem with a new solar-powered ventilation system that keeps the interior cool, with no need for the engine to be running. And to make sure the temperature is just right before you get inside, it has produced the world’s first Remote Air Conditioning control, operated using the car’s key fob. (more…)
Summer marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Renault Espace first going on sale. Sales of the groundbreaking vehicle, which started the MPV revolution back in the early Eighties and has had four distinct generations, have now reached almost 1.2 million since its launch in 1984, 80,000 of which are in the UK. (more…)
The FIA Main Event at Santa Pod Raceway is always a crowd pleaser, but last weekend at this years event, the history book got ripped up and thrown away, with several European records being shattered in blistering sunshine.
Thanks to a blissful break in the venue’s luck with the weather, the headline event seemed to have a ‘feel good’ factor from the get-go, with capacity crowds filing in from the first minute of the three-day meeting, and racers seemingly unable to put a foot – or a wheel – wrong. (more…)
All the celebrations for Mini’s 50th anniversary have gone to the head of the organisers of the Classic Motor Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 13th to 15th November 2009. They are giving the fantastic 1960 Morris Mini restored at last year’s show away in a text-to-win competition. For just 50p plus your standard network charge, you can enter to win a classic Mini of your own. (more…)
Powerful, aesthetic design, supreme performance and exclusive style – the unique characteristics of the BMW M3 are now available in highly attractive Edition Models focusing on the most outstanding highlights of these outstanding cars.
Based on the BMW M3 Coupé, the M3 Edition Models offer a choice of no less than four highly individual cars boasting perfectly harmonised modifications in body design and interior features as well as special light-alloy wheels and an even lower chassis. (more…)