The Horde tower defense

tower defense

 The Horde tower defense

Description Game:

Use arrow, cannon, fire, water, and poison towers to hold off the Orcs in this tower defense game.
(Visited 9 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Free Ice Cream

maze game

  Free Ice Cream

Description Game:

You have been taken captive by an evil ice cream man. Its all up to you to try and escape as quickly as possible before the evil ice cream man comes back for you. Be on the lookout for hiding spots as you will need them just in case he comes around.

How to play Game:

Flash Rally Portugal

car games

  Flash Rally Portugal

Description Game:

Step on the gas and try completing the rally in record time driving across the uneven and rough terrain of Portugal. This requires presence of mind and patience. Do not get excited you will lose focus. Concentrate on your efforts and they will surely be rewarded.

How to play Game:

Jingle Ballistics

Kizi

 Jingle Ballistics

Game description: Jingle Ballistics is a 1 on 1 classical-style 2D fighting game where Christmas characters battle it out to be the best fighter.  
Game controls: Player 1:Arrow Keys - Move.A, S - Punch.Z, X - Kick.Player 2:1-5 - Move.7, 4 - Punch.9, 6 - Kick.

Pool Jam

pool games

 Pool Jam

Description Game:

Do you best to clear as many balls as you can in three minutes.
(Visited 15 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Mouse

Miami Outlaws

gun games

  Miami Outlaws

Description Game:

Somebody should teach these bad boys a lesson… Break your window, then click to shoot the outlaws. Stop them from liberating the crooks! Upgrade your weapon for even more firepower…
(Visited 7 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Use mouse to aim and shoot. Space bar to reload.

KOF Fighting

fighting games

 KOF Fighting

Description Game:

To become the king of fighter, one have to survive many fightings. Every fighting will make him more powerful! Would you like to have a try?

How to play Game:

Player 1 : W,A,S,D - To move. U,I,O,J,K,L - To attack. Player 2 : Arrow keys - To move. Numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6 - To attack.

Batmans Power Strike

batman games

 Batmans Power Strike

Description Game:

Batman is training to keep fit and continue fighting crime in Gotham City. Help Batman train by maximizing his power in breaking bricks. Try to break as many beams as you can. In order to do so, you must carefully watch at the power meter and press the space bar at the specific moment.
(Visited 6 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Use your keyboard to play.

3 Point Shootout

basketball games

 3 Point Shootout

Description Game:

Use your mouse to position the player, click and hold to start aiming, and release when the aim is right. The direction and strength of wind is shown on the board. Watch it and plan your shot accordingly.
(Visited 7 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Use mouse to interact.

Bike Mania on Ice

dirt bike games

  Bike Mania on Ice

Description Game:

It’s a dirt bike on ice! Carefully drive your motor bike over the ice-covered obstacles and get to the end of each level as quickly as you can.

How to play Game:

Animal Truck

disney cars

 Animal Truck

Description Game:

Animal Truck is an online truck game. Transport the animal toys in this cargo delivery game. The supplies are the animal toys- bring them from the toy factory to the kindergarten. Drive through stunning landscapes as quickly as you can, but do not lose the cargo! For each animal toy you bring to the end, you score points. For the remaining time, you will get bonus points. Drive carefully and do not crash the truck. Try to beat all 10 levels and get the highest score.
(Visited 11 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

Use the arrow keys to drive.

Happy Donkey Kong

happy wheels

 Happy Donkey Kong

Description Game:

Featuring Donkey Kong in a new mission of Adventure Ride. Ride through the jungle collecting bananas to gain more points. Donkey Kong has to cross many obstacles in each level to complete his adventure. Have Fun !

How to play Game:

Help Donkey Kong Ride using Arrow keys. Up arrow key to accelerate Down Arrow key to reverse Left and Right arrow keys to tilt sideways

Cool Math Equations

Cool math for kids

 Cool Math Equations

Description Game:

Yet another memory math game, but this time your goal isn’t just to test your memory. You’ve got to resolve math equations. A single square is math equation and in an additional one there’s the answer. Locate it! Use mouse to click on the squares. There is limited time and you’ve got to full prior to it runs out. You will find six levels and just about every subsequent is a lot more complex than previous. Good luck!
(Visited 19 times, 1 visits today)

How to play Game:

This game is played by mouse only.

Winnie and Friends Coloring Math Game

Game Info - Use your math skills to get the right color.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Spongebob Square Pants Dress Up

Game Info - Go get Sponge Bob his sponge suits.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Dress-up Doll 3

Game Info - This pretty little cute girl has got so many dresses to choose from and its up to you how she will look the most fabulous. Have fun girls!
Game controls - Mouse - To interact.

The Halloween Quiz

Game Info - We all have a spooky side...

Discover your spooky self by clicking the images that represent you best.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Alaskan Adversary

Game Info - Battle Alaskan Adversaries through the land of ice and snow.
Game controls - Use arrow keys to move.
Z to use main attack.
X to use learned attack.
A to use special attack.

Beyblade Rip Zone

Game Info - The real-life battlin' tops game comes to your computer in a down-and-dirty, Beyblade-on-Beyblade grudge match. Pick your Beyblade, match your power and accuracy and Let it Rip!
Game controls - Click the highest number of the power meter. the higher the number the more you'll get.
Click again to stop the count down and select the number closest to the number that you selected earlier for accuracy.

Spongebob Squarepants - Hockey Tournament

Game Info - Take this challenge of beating the computer, who’s your opponent by scoring more goals. Scoring more goals will make you proceed to tougher levels.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Danger Girl

Game Info - This girl is so angry with aliens in her backyard that's why you must help her, with the aid of her ball, eliminate them by throwing the ball at them to knock them down and earn some money to purchase some upgrades to your ball.
Game controls - Mouse - Aim and shoot.

Valentine Night Of Kisses

Game Info - Kira loves to kiss her boyfriend but she does so in secret because she doesn't want anyone to know about their romance.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

H2O

Game Info - Rikki, Cleo and Emma are three mermaids who are also friends who are posing for us. Can you paint them?
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Family Photo

Game Info - Help her get ready for her family photo make sure it's wholesome but fashion trendy.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Red Baron

Game Info - Based on a game Deim Requiem and now tars in his own action beat-em-up game facing against enemies.
Game controls - Use Arrow keys to move, A to attack, S to switch weapons, and D to for guard.

Vanessa's Naughty Pics

Game Info - Follow superstar Vanessa around the world and try to get the best selling pictures.

Do your part to feed America´s obsession with pop culture and celebrity.
Game controls - Take your time to make the best pictures you can. If your pictures are not good enough you may get fired from the job. Mouse to aim and shoot.

Soccer Balls

Game Info - Soccer Balls is not a normal soccer game. In this physics game you have to use teamwork to hit the referee with the ball and get a red card. Try to complete all 36 levels with 3 stars.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Metal Arm: Fawerage Battle Machine

Game Info - Unique 3D robot super fight. You manage the giant robot. All another robots must die!!!
Game controls - Use Mouse to interact.

Bold Berry Lips Dressup

Game Info - She loves colorful clothes that will match her lipstick and accessories. Can you help her?
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Sweater Dressup

Game Info - Choose a nice sweater suited for a cold season for her to wear.
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Maggie Carrera en la Lluvia

Game Info - Grab the stars and jump over the obstacles whenever they appear. Speed up to make things harder.
Game controls - Right Arrow - Move Forward.
Left Arrow - Brake.
Up Arrow - Jump.
Down Arrow - Crouch.
Spacebar - Speedup.

GrossOut Battle for Sludge Valley

Game Info - Fight against other opponents in this turn based styled fighting game. Can you beat them all?
Game controls - Use Mouse to interact.

Tom Jerry - Run Jerry RUNNN

Game Info - Have ever seen the Tom and Jerry cartoon?
Now you've got a chance to be Jerry!

Lovele: Pyueogeol

Game Info - A new Lovele cover girl is in town
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Girl Make-over 6

Game Info - She may not be so pretty at first glance but watch her transformation as you dress her up. Have fun!
Game controls - Mouse - To interact.

Dora The Explorer Mix-Up

Game Info - Arrange the pieces correctly to figure out the image.
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Totem Destroyer

Game Info - Your mission is to destroy the totems without letting the golden Idol (aka Tot) fall into the ground. Use balance to keep Tot up. A cool physics based puzzle game!
Game controls - Use mouse to interact.
Q- to quit to main menu.

Cute Taylor Swift Makeover

Game Info - Give our new country music sensation a makeover.
 Game controls - Use mouse to interact.

Interactive Buddy

Game Info - You have your own buddy which you can do pretty much anything to... Torture him, throw a baseball bat at his head, or light him on fire. It
 all up to you.
Game controls - More hits, more money, then buy new items!

If games freezes or crashes, press the Reload button or Refresh Button on your browser

Warfare 1944

Game Info - Rising out of the trenches and onto the battlefield of Normandy, Warfare 1944 sees the U.S Forces take on the German Wehrmacht.
Game controls - Select unit then click on the battlefield to deploy.

Instructions in game.

Pizza Hut Cooking

Game Info - Pizza Hut is one of our best Italian recipes and I am sure you are going to love it once you cook it. Try our different ingredients and enjoy the good tasting, the aspect and the odor also. Be your own family`s chef and make everybody be proud of you. Goo
Game controls - This game is played with mouse only.

Sift Heads World - Act 7 - The Ultimatum

Game Info - The team is back with an unstoppable fury! As they are being chased by the police they will confront their deadliest rivals, Alonzo and Yuuma. Vinnie, Shorty and Kiro will finally meet their match and their skills will be put to test! Will they survive wave after wave of fierce blows or will they succumb? Play and find out!
Game controls - Use the mouse to move around, interact with characters, activate action spots, pickup objects and to aim or shoot, spacebar to equip your weapon, R to reload and W, A, S, D keys in animation sequences.

Warlords Call to Arms

Game Info - Send out your soldiers on the right paths so that they encounter enemy troops. Take over the map!
Game controls - You control the yellow on the left. It indicates where you are to create your soldiers. You can move it up and down by pressing W and S or Up and Down Arrow Keys. To select different types of soldier use A and D or Left and Right Arrow Keys. When you have your preferred unit selected and he is ready, press the Spacebar to release him. Every 20 kills, you will get a charge where you can send out a line of 8 men. This indicated by a red arrow. Press Q to release a charge.

2 Player Mode.

Left Player:
W / S - Move Arrow Up and Down.
A / D - Select Unit.
Spacebar - Release Unit.

Right Player:
Up / Down Arrow Keys - Move Arrow Up and Down.
Left / Right Arrow Keys - Select Unit.
Enter Key - Release Unit.

Tomboy Princess

Game description:
Help this girl choose what the best princess outfit.
Game controls: Use Mouse to interact.

Hansel and Gretel

Game description:
Help Hansel and Gretel build there very own house made out of goodies.
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Mystery Date Dress Up

Game description:
What should Fleur wear for her daytime mystery date?
Game controls: Use Mouse to interact.

Girl in Summer Dress

Game description:
Select from different choices the one that fits into her.
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Blue Demon Car

Game description:
Pimp this car the way it will look so cool!
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Digital Angels: Summoner Saga 2

Game description:
Chapter two of Summoner Saga throws you against even more formidable foes and monsters. Can you survive?
Game controls: Use Mouse to interact.

Business Doll Maker

Game description:
Choose a fashionable dress, new hair and beauty accessories like necklace, earrings and a noticeable makeup for her.
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Magic Girl Dressup

Game description: What costume will be the best for this charming girl from magic world?  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Mickey's Crazy Lounge

Game description: Sit the customers, take the order and bring it to the customer's table.  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Flava Manicure Game

Game description: Help the girls make their nails look funky-fresh!  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Lovele: Court of the season

Game description: Try the trends these season.  
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Brazil Carnival Costumes

Game description: The carnaval has begun. Dress this gorgeous Brazilian girl in order to parade na rua. Press the mouse left button to drag the clothes and the complements of your choice.  
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Kiss Evolution

Game description: Kiss for as long as possible. Reach your quota!
 Game controls: Use Mouse to interact.

Flaming Zombooka 2

Game description: Zombie bazooking time has returned, now with more weapons, more gore, more ways to kill zombies, and a choice of character.  
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Polkadots

Game description: Polkadots are in again the fashion scene.  
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Baby Room Makeover

Game description: Kids learn good taste young, so give this baby the best-looking room in the nursery! Game controls: How to play Baby Room Makeover: Click on one of the four options in each category until the room is decorated. Finally, pick an outfit for the baby and then place her somewhere in the room.

Strong Bow

Game description: The objective of the game is to defend your castle and attack your opponent's castle at the same time. Everytime you hit an enemy unit, you gain gold which you can spend on your own troops, building defenses and catapults, or upgrading your hero.
 Game controls: Mouse - Aim / Shoot. W, A, S, D - Look Around.

Nice Girl Dressup

Game description: Dress up this nice girl just as you like.
 Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Redhead Makeover

Game description: Now that this redhead is dress up, she needs help with her makeover!  
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Dummy Never Fails

Game description: Launch the crash test dummy out of your cannon in this physics game as you touch your targeted ball.
Game controls: Use mouse to and shoot. 

Amazing Manicure

Game description: Have a look at this great choice of nails and trinkets! Make these hands beautiful and choose the right accessories. Everything is possible in this game!
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only. 

Meal Masters 4

Game description: Part four of the game Meal Masters. Again, learn to cook and prepare complete set of meal.
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only. 

The Battle for Christmas

Game description: Take your role as “the skillful shooter who’ll save the Christmas spirit” really seriously, and help Santa, and his teammates
Game controls: This game is played by mouse only. 

Hidden Numbers-Transformers

Game description: Hidden Numbers-Transformers is another point and click hidden object game from gamesperk. Analyze your observation skill by finding out the hidden numbers in the Transformers pictures.
Game controls: This game is played by mouse only. 

Gin Rummy

Game description: This game is played by 2 players. At the start of a game each player is dealt 10 cards, 1 card is put face up as the first card in the discard pile, the rest of the cards are put face down as the stock pile. The first player starts the round by picking up a card in the discard pile or the stock pile, and then discarding a card from his hand to the discard pile, then the next player starts his round, and so on. The cards on hand form melds and deadwoods. Melds are 3 or 4 cards of the same rank; or 3 of more cards of the same suit in sequence. Melds cannot overlap so one card cannot belong to two melds. The rest of the cards are called deadwood cards, each deadwood card has points, A has 1 point, 2 has 2 points, etc, J, Q, K has 10 points. The object of this game is to reduce the deadwood points. After discarding a card, the player can knock if his deadwood points are less than or equal to 10. The other player can have a chance to lay off his deadwood cards if they can form melds with the knocking player's melds. After that, if the knocking player's deadwood points is less than the other player's, then he is awarded scores equal to the difference in deadwood points. But if the other player has less deadwood points, then the other player gets 25 plus the difference in deadwood points. If the knocking player has no deadwood then the other player is not allowed to lay off, and the knocking player is awarded an extra 25 points. And if all the 11 cards in a player's hand form valid melds, then he can knock before discarding a card and he is awarded an extra 6 points. If there are only 2 cards remaining in the stock pile, then the game ends in a draw. The match ends when a player has accumulated 100 points.
Game controls: This game is played by mouse only. 

21 Balloons

Game description: 21 Balloons floating in the air... Catch them for the little bears.
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only. 

Meeblings 2

Game description: Rescue the Meeblings by clicking on different colored ones, each perform a task.
Game controls: This game is played with mouse only. 

Halloween Doli Girls

Game description: These adorable Doli dolls are attending a Halloween party tonight and need you extra help getting ready. So how about giving each one of them a total make-over and prepare them in gloomy style!
Game controls: This game is played by mouse only. 

Laundry Day

Game description: Manage your laundromat as you take peoples dirty clothes to be wash, and ironed.
Game controls: This game is played by mouse only. 

Dragon Ball Z Dress Up

Game description: Dress up and create your own customized Dragon Ball Z character. Make him look as cool as possible.
Game controls: Use mouse to interact.

Magnolia Manor

Game description: It has been several decades since your death, and it seems that those local living sacks want to invade your property. It is up to you, as the former proprietor of Magnolia Manor, to make sure they all experience a fright they'll never forget!
Game controls: This game is played by mouse only. 

Elf Rider

Game description: Ride your bike or fourwheeler as an elf. Perform stunts and grab as many gifts as possible.
Game controls: Use arrow keys to drive. 

Naruto NG

Game description: Fight as Naruto shipuuden characters, and Inchigo of bleach fight as much as you can choose your opponent.
Game controls: W, A ,D - To attack / fight. Arrow keys Left / Right - To run move. Arrow key Down - To crouch. Arrow key Up - To jump. Shift key - To walk. S - To throw kunai. 

Mysteriez

Game description: Try to find all the numbers. Take a good look everywhere and try to be faster then other players. Have fun!
 Game controls: This game is played with mouse only.

Mazda 2's diet regime secrets

So what’s all the fuss about then?

Weight, or in the case of the Mazda 2, a lack of it. CO2 emissions are the biggest issue for the car industry right now, and governments around the globe are seemingly obsessed with one single gas. It's a problem affecting everyone - from supercar manufacturers like Porsche to volume players like Mazda. For the past decade diesel engines have seemingly held the answer, but whilst they better petrol engines on CO2 emissions, they're much pricier to build and buy. Now manufacturers are rushing to play catch-up with their petrol engine technology, and many are downsizing and turbocharging. There is a third way, of course. Mazda's new 2 supermini is among the first of a growing breed: a new car that's lighter than the one it replaces. Lighter weight brings emissions and economy benefits - and also helps handling and performance. It's the 21st century's must-have car accessory.
So what’s Mazda been up to then?

The Japanese manufacturer is one of the first out of the blocks with a significant weight reduction to the new 2 supermini. Mazda claims it has trimmed 100kg from the kerb mass. We already knew that, but now Mazda has released details of exactly where and how it has removed the unnecessary heft. All of this is promising for Ford because the Mazda 2's platform will also underpin the next Fiesta, which we’ll see in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Nissan NV200 concept (2007): first official pictures

Nissan NV200: the lowdown

Nissan loves a barmy concept car (remember the Bevel, showcased at Detroit for older bob-a-jobbing builders?). And motor shows don't come much nuttier than Tokyo's bi-annual celebration of technical innovation and limit-pushing design. So it seems natural that the Japanese car maker has saved up a special treat for its domestic show this October. It has just released teaser info on the NV200 van. Designed at its European design base in Paddington, London, the concept explores the use of space in commercial vehicles. Take a deep breath: yes, this concept is aimed at an extremely narrow demographic niche - car buyers who happen to be underwater photographers. So the NV200's boot is in fact a removable pod that swivels to the back of the van, leaving room for a mobile office; the front-row seats rotate 180deg to face backwards and a computer desk for digital editing drops down from the side of the van. There are storage areas for wet and dry items, naturally. Sounds like just the sort of vehicle CAR Online's scoop photographers could do with on their riskier assignments.

Tokyo is traditionally chock-full of quirky concepts like the NV200, and we shouldn't scoff at them. Wacky ideas beloved of the Japanese car makers can produce some fresh thinking, and some of it trickles down to production reality. CAR Online will have a reporting team live in Tokyo and we'll be bringing you the latest on cars as diverse as the new Nissan GT-R, Toyota's new supercar and the Fiat 500 Abarth.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid (2007): first official pictures

A Porsche hybrid?

That's right, and CARS GAMES Online has just returned from a visit to Weissach - Porsche's R&D HQ near Stuttgart - where we were given the full lowdown on the Cayenne Hybrid. Porsche's hand has been forced by the current public and political climate surrounding CO2 and global warming - and the company has taken the unusual step of showing its prototypes even though they're a few years from production. Porsche, like most other manufacturers, has been reducing its emissions in recent years, but it knows it must be publicly seen to be doing something green. Economy improvements must be shouted about, especially when the next car you will launch, in 12 months' time, will be a very large four-seat super saloon – the Panamera. The Cayenne Hybrid is the antidote to Porsche's wilder excesses, and it's being developed in conjunction with VW and Audi.
Surely there is another way?

Apparently not, at least not in the short term. It is too late in the Mk1 Cayenne’s lifecycle to start making drastic weight reductions. Lightweight body panels would reduce crash strength and, more importantly, are deemed too costly. Any thoughts of making the Cayenne a more road-focused vehicle are also a non-starter because the marketing people insist the car must at least match the Range Rover on the rough stuff. And apparently having the full breadth of 4x4 abilities is a must in important markets like the Middle East and China. Why doesn't Porsche build a diesel Cayenne? Porsche reckons derv engines are too heavy, thus reducing performance and steering feel. The company believes that however you crack crude oil, petrol will always be produced, so while it is available and deemed to be superior to diesel Porsche will use it. And so we have a Cayenne Hybrid that should lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, but still allow the company to use combustion engines.

Audi A1 sketches

Audi A1: the world exclusive

We always knew that CAR's Georg Kacher is one of the best connected motoring journalists in the world. But even we were surprised when he rang the office with news that he'd 'obtained' official design sketches of Audi's new Mini, the A1. Forget the artist's impressions you'll find elsewhere, CAR Online has three sketches smuggled out of Ingolstadt's design HQ that show exactly how Audi's baby will look. It's been a few years since the A2 ceased production, and Audi is chomping at the bit to join the ranks of the premium superminis. You can't blame them after jealously eyeing five years of BMW success with the pricey Mini. Audi's own supermini will be a classy hatchback laced with the brand's design flourishes - and will form a crucial plank in its strategy to become the world's biggest premium car maker by the middle of the next decade. The A1 will also be among the first VW group models built around its new MQB formula (that's platform boffin-speak for modular transverse matrix). Sounds a bit dull, but the important thing is this: it will also underpin the next A3 in 2010 and other minis elsewhere in the group, and it's designed to be cheaper to build, easier to assemble and more flexible to drop in different modules to tailor the spec for different brands. Audi reckons it'll be $1000 cheaper per car than today's small-car architecture.
Wow. Describe the A1 in more detail then

Audi plans four different A1 versions: a chunky three-door hatch (revealed here in our exclusive sketches), a roomier five-door hatch, a two-door coupe and an open-top model. Will it be a four-seater cabriolet or a two-seater roadster? We don't know yet. It may be something else altogether, like an evolution of the interesting A2 Open Air concept we saw at the 1999 Frankfurt show. Former chairman Martin Winterkorn, now at VW, is very proud of his new baby. 'It demonstrates our packaging skills - this is a more attractive second car. With the new four-door Polo waiting in the wings, conceiving a structurally similar but visually very different version for Audi is not exactly rocket science.' Audi will equip the A1 with quattro four-wheel drive. That's one reason why it won't be based on the new 2008 Polo's front-drive only PQ25 architecture. Why introduce quattro in this price-sensitive segment? Because premium customers don't mind spending money on comfort and safety options - and quattro is writ through Audi DNA like a stick of Blackpool rock. All-wheel drive gives planned S1 and Q1 derivatives more kudos, too.

Audi R8 Spider (2007): first official pictures

Audi R8 Spider: the lowdown

Audi is lopping the top off its R8 supercar - and CAR Online has the exclusive proof. This official design sketch leaked from the company's Ingolstadt design studios shows exactly how the open-air R8 will look when it goes on sale in 2009. It follows our scoop on the Audi A1 yesterday, and we have more Audi news to come tomorrow. This drawing reveals the R8 targa for the first time, with twin speedster humps incorporating breathing vents for the mid-engined V8 behind the two-seater cockpit. The doors are deeply scalloped, as on the coupe, but this time there's a shortened, stumpier aluminium-look blade just ahead of the rear wheels. Tone down the cartoony feel of this sketch (just look at the liquorice-wrapped, deeply dished alloys) and this is the final production car. This picture confirms CAR Magazine's scoop (October 2006) that the R8 will have removable targa panels, rather than a space-gobbling removable fabric roof or folding hard-top. Fact is, most buyers of this £85k roadster will live in hotter climes like Florida, where a fiddly targa top won't be a problem. Powering the R8 Spider will be the same 4.2-litre V8 that you'll find in the RS4 and R8 tin-top. It's a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 mustering 414bhp - easily enough to make the lightweight, alumnium R8 a very capable sports car indeed. And this targa version is aimed squarely at open-top versions of the 911. There's more change in store for the R8. Audi is planning to drop in the V10 from its donor car, the Lamborghini Gallardo, which will give the R8 sufficient poke (500bhp+) that its four-wheel drive chassis has always cried out for. It's all part of Audi's continuing plan to leapfrog BMW and Mercedes to become the world's biggest premium car maker by 2015. Niche-filling is the name of the game, as the company targets 1.5 million sales a year, so expect derivatives galore...

Audi A7 (2007): first official sketch

Audi A7: the world exclusive

Completing CAR Online's hat-trick of Audi scoops is this - Ingolstadt's slinky answer to the Mercedes CLS. The A7 is due to land in showrooms in September 2009 and will be previewed by a concept at the 2008 New York Auto Show. For any manufacturer to launch a successful model against the CLS, it must turn heads like a scantily-unclad A-list catwalk model. So the A7 will be a sleek, four-door based on the mechanical package of the next A6. And our world exclusive official design sketch, leaked to CAR Online by Audi moles, shows precisely how the Audi will look, with a low-slung profile and a gracefully swept-back stance. Audis are slowly garnering a reputation as better drivers' cars, after a succession of smash hits (RS4, R8... is the jury still out on the A5?) and from what we know about the new A6/7, it looks like they should be more alert handlers than today's exec. Like on the new A4/A5 family arriving this year, the A7 will get a new steering rack, multi-link suspension and a rear-bias quattro system to quell the apex-busting understeer that's blighted Audi saloons for decades. Four-cylinder power is off limits in the A7, and so is W12 propulsion. Six- and eight-cylinder power is flavour of the day, with as many as six different engines expected: 3.0-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrols, topped by Lambo-sourced V10 in normally aspirated and twin-turbo form for the S7 and RS7. Prefer filling up at the black pump? Then expect 3.0-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 TDI units. Pricewise, the natural home for the A7 is the middle ground which separates the A6 from the A8, so the bulk of the models should be positioned in the £35,000-£50,000 bracket. Naturally, in this niche-filling, expansionist era at Ingolstadt, there could be a soft-top, too. This single image, leaked from top brass at Audi exclusively to CAR Online, suggests Audi could have an attractive big coupe on its hands. But it won't have it all its own way; Mercedes is readying a facelift for the CLS in 2008, before an all-new replacement arrives in 2011.

Mini Clubman (2007): first official pictures

Bloody hell. What have they done to the Mini?

That was pretty much CAR Online’s reaction when we first saw this picture. This is the new Mini Clubman and although we’ve been snapping prototypes testing around the world for a few years, the official photos are still a bit of a shock. The Clubman will look like nothing else on sale when it’s launched on 10 November, though you’ll be able to see it at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and CAR Online will be there to crawl all over this intriguing small car. As this photo shows, the Mini Clubman will have van-style twin rear doors, each with their own wiper and a cut-out that frames the rear light cluster. This avoids the expensive problem that BMW encountered with damping the headlights on the first-gen new Mini.
But from this angle it looks like a regular Mini

Indeed it does, but you can just make out the 240mm longer body. And if you look closely you can also see a rear suicide door, as per the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Mazda RX-8. But like the RX-8, and unlike the Rolls, the self-styled Clubdoor can only be opened when the front driver's door is open. This is for safety’s sake, apparently. However, the Clubman has clearly been developed for left-hand drive markets, so the suicide door is on the right-hand side. This means that UK drivers get the short straw and both doors will always open into traffic for any passenger drop-offs. Mini says it couldn't engineer doors on both sides, because of the fuel filler arrangement. A shame. Like the regular Mini, the Clubman will come in Cooper D (110bhp), Cooper (120bhp) and Cooper S (175bhp) guises. All engines will also come with BMW’s brake regeneration and stop/start technology – all aimed at lowering emissions and fuel consumption.

Fiat 500 options

Half a million option combinations on the Fiat 500? Tell me more!

You can indeed spec the 500 to the skies, but apart from the odd body stripe, alloy wheel or paint colour, all the launch cars in the media have been mainstream, plain Jane spec. That's why CAR Online's rummaged through the brochures to bring you some of the edited highlights of the many options available. At the launch of the Fiat 500, bosses claimed the extensive options list meant they could make 500,000 new 500s before any two were the same. Fiat is following Mini's example, and having watched and learnt from the Germans, the Italians hope to go one better, as you can read about in the September 2007 issue of CAR Magazine. First up is this canvas car cover, designed to make your new 500 look like the original Nuovo 500. The only problem is, it’ll surely get nicked if you park on the streets...
So can I hang my coat up inside?

Yes you can, and whilst your coat hangs behind you, you can look forward onto whatever steering wheel you have chosen. Although we're not sure we'd recommend the contrasting mud-brown finish on the one in our photo.

Mitsubishi Concept-CX sketches

What’s that, a Lancer hatch?

Not quite, though the front does have a strong resemblance to the four-door Lancer that will land in the UK at the start of 2008. Dubbed Concept-cX, this, show car points to Mitsubishi's possible future compact crossover in the mould of the Nissan Qashqai. However, it’s 215mm shorter than the Qashqai and only 70mm longer than a Peugeot 207. Throw in a 4wd system and a high seating position, and the marketing people will have you believe you’ll get 4x4 visibility mixed with easy manoeuvrability for urban motoring.
Will I be able to buy one?

The car seems a dead cert for production, and is bristling with production details such as a sensible 1.8-litre diesel engine with variable geometry turbocharging and a particulate filter. It also features Mitsubishi’s new Twin Clutch SST gearbox. Apparently the interior also features ‘extensive use’ of Mitsubishi’s Green Plastic, made from bamboo and plant resins. The cX runs on typically over-sized, 19in concept car wheels and has a tailgate similar to the Volvo C30's. We’ll see the cX in the metal at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 11 September.

Peugeot 308 RCZ (2007): first official pictures

Peugeot's TT: the 308 RC Z

If you're designing a mid-sized coupe from scratch, it's hard to ignore the head-swivelling, original Audi TT. Peugeot clearly thinks so - its Frankfurt show star, the new 308 RC Z unveiled today, looks like a Chinese facsimile of the Mk1 TT, especially viewed in profile. Maybe that's why Peugeot introduced a clumsy kink in the waistline (a la Hyundai Matrix), to disrupt the Germanic body language...
Ah, that's a bit less like a TT

Yes, it's just as you'd imagine a mid-sized Peugeot coupe to look: huge, sweptback headlights, inane grinning grille and bulging bonnet lines that characterise modern Pugs. The front end borrows the look of its sister cars games, the 308 hatchback and the RC Z previews a production coupe that we can expect on sale in 2009. Interestingly, Peugeot intends to fill every nook and cranny of the C-sector with 308 derivatives. We've already seen the five-door hatch, but we'll also have an SW estate, a three-door hatch and a coupe-cabriolet. That's right - Peugeot is following BMW's 3-series lead and having two separate tin-top coupes, one with a folding hard top.

Renault Latitude (2010) first official pictures

These are the first official pictures of the new Renault Latitude, a car out to steal sales from Skoda’s Superb. It's aimed at emerging markets, rather than Europe.
So the Renault Latitude isn’t a replacement for the Laguna?

No. Instead this is a completely fresh model, slotting in above the Laguna and becoming the flagship saloon in Renault’s range – think of it as a replacement for the Vel Satis.

But while the Vel Satis (and Avantime) were launched when Renault was feeling adventurous, the Latitude is much more reserved and generic. Underneath the bodywork it sits on the same chassis and the Samsung SM5, a saloon recently launched into the Korean market by Renault-Samsung Motors.

Full technical details have yet to be released, but Renault promises the ‘front-end looks mirror the power of the engines’. Result: we’re not expecting much from under the bonnet.

Renault also claims ‘a comfortable, silent ride’ and a ‘particularly precise chassis’, and tech highlights include a massaging driver’s seat, triple-zone climate control and a high-end Bose audio system.

The Latitude will initially go on sale in parts of Asia and Africa, Russia, Turkey, some Gulf states, Australia and Mexico – it will be unveiled at the Moscow motor show in August 2010. A European version will be shown at the 2010 Paris motor show in September, although Renault is remaining tight-lipped about whether the Latitude will make it to the UK market. a

VW Jetta (2011) first official pictures

This is the new, US-spec Volkswagen Jetta, and it’s part of VW’s plans to triple its annual sales in America to 800,000 units by 2018. And to help its cause, the VW Jetta no longer shares any body panels with the Golf, so the bold claim being made is that this new model is ‘just as independent as a CC or a Tiguan’.
But this new VW Jetta still looks like a Golf, both inside and out.

There are indeed strong family ties, and underneath the new Jetta is ultimately a Mk6 Golf. However, the platform has been stretched (the wheelbase is 7cm longer than before and the whole cars games has grown by 9cm overall) and it doesn’t use the full all-singing/all-dancing multi-link rear of the current Euro-spec car. Conversely, when this Jetta does make it to Europe in 2011, it will feature a multi-link rear, along with other more minor changes like clear indicators and smaller cup holders.

On the outside the new Jetta draws inspiration from the NCC concept unveiled in Detroit at the start of 2010, so it’s out with the rounded and chrome-trimmed nose, and in with a much sharper and sleeker snout.

The press release is fairly gushing, claiming the ‘quality of workmanship is pioneering’ and that the ‘new Jetta is taking on the automotive challenges of our times’. Cut the crap and you’ll discover a typically good VW interior, and some hi-tech engines, though nothing life changing.

In the USA and Canada the new Jetta will be offered with four engines – three petrol and one diesel. The latter is a turbocharged, common-rail, direct-injection 2.0 TDI with 138bhp and 236bhp, complete with a particulate filter and NOx catalytic converter to meet all of America’s stringent emissions regulations. The petrol engines range from 114bhp to a 2.0T with 197bhp.

In Europe all the engines will be turbocharged: there’s six in all, with a choice of four petrols – 1.2 TSI (103bhp), a 1.4 TSI (121 or 158bhp), a 2.0 TSI (197bhp) – and two diesels, a 1.6 TDI (103bhp) and 2.0 TDI (138bhp). Both the 1.2 TSI and 1.6 TDI come in Bluemotion Technology guise, with stop-start and an intelligent alternator, so the former achieves 53.3mpg and 123g/km, while the latter manages 68.9mpg and 109g/km.

Base-spec US models will start at just under $16k, while UK cars should cost from £17k when sales start in 2011.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer estate (2010) unveiled

Vauxhall has slid the covers off the new Astra Sports Tourer – a mini-me, shrunken Insignia estate for less money. The two share plenty of character and were both penned under GM Europe's design boss, Mark Adams.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer: the lowdown

The new 2010 Astra estate puts the ultimate accent on cool looks over practicality, and its vital stats suggest it's a bit of a slouch in the sofa-shifting game. The 2685mm wheelbase is identical to the hatchback's, so the boot space stands at 500 litres, only 30 litres more than the hatch with the seats up.

FlexFold (optional on lower models) lets you flop each 60:40 split rear seat down at the press of a button; stow all the rear seats flat and boot space soars to a more acceptable 1550 litres. While we're scrutinising the figures, GM says there's half as much stowage space inside the cabin, with an additional 25 litres of cubbies and boxes for family clobber. Plenty of scope for losing your house keys and pound coins, then.

Astra estate: the engine room

The Astra Sports Tourer comes with a choice of six engines and this marks the adoption of start-stop on the Astra. The starter engine is a 99bhp 1.4i, although diesels will probably prove more popular – choose from a pair of 1.7s or a 158bhp 2.0 CDTi, bringing 55mpg and 134g/km of CO2.

How's the Astra selling?

Very well in the UK, says Vauxhall. It's sold more than 28,000 Astra hatchbacks since launch in December 2009 – and GM types are quick to point out that they're not all rental specials. The Astra is Britain's best-selling retail car range in the first five months of 2010. That's seriously impressive: well done, Vauxhall.

The new Astra wagon will arrive in UK showrooms in late 2010, after a Paris motor show launch in September. GM says the Astra Sports Tourer will be built exclusively at Ellesmere Port and its new upper-body structure was in fact 100% engineered at the UK's Vauxhall Engineering Centre in Bedfordshire.

Range Rover (2011): first pictures, new V8

Land Rover might only have revised the Range Rover last summer, but there’s now a new version, complete with a bigger and better 4.4-litre TDV8, plus it's available as a limited-run Autobiography Black special edition to celebrate the car’s 40th birthday.
Facts and figures about the Range Rover’s new 4.4 TDV8 please...

For a start the engine has grown from 3.6 to 4.4-litres, but still retains the twin sequential turbochargers. That means 309bhp (up from 267bhp), while the torque figures climbs from 472lb ft to 516lb ft. But the new engine is cleaner and more economical too, thanks in part to a new ZF-sourced eight-speed auto that replaces the six-cog ‘box; the Rangie’s CO2 output drops from 294g/km to 253g/km, while the fuel consumption improves from 25.4mpg to 30.1. It’s the first time the Range Rover has achieved over 30mpg.

Performance, of course, improves too, with the 0-60mph time dropping 1.1sec to 7.5 seconds, and the top speed is up 5 notches to 130mph. And to match the performance, the new TDV8 gains the same Brembo braking kit as the supercharged 5.0 V8, so there’s 380mm discs up front and 365mm discs at the back.
Anything else?

The Range Rover’s big, chunky Command Shift gearstick has been replaced by a Jag-style rotary selector, and to avoid confusion the rotary Terrain Response dial has been swapped for some switches. Terrain Response also gains a Hill Start Assist program, and a Gradient Acceleration Control program to ‘provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged’

Other tweaks include the option of more exterior colours, more optional alloy wheels, and a new exterior design pack, that’s imaginatively called Exterior Design Pack – it consists of a different front bumper and grille, revised side vents and sills, a new rear bumpers and stainless steel exhaust finishers.

Finally there’s the Autobiography Black, a special edition built to celebrate the Range Rover’s 40th birthday. Only available in black, its gets unique 20-inch wheels and lots of black trimmings, and just 700 will ever be made.

Jaguar XKR 75 (2010) first official picture

This is the 75th birthday present Jaguar has wrapped for itself: the new XKR 75. It’s a tweaked-up version of the supercharged XKR, massaged to produce 523bhp (up 19 ponies) and 483lb ft (and 22 pounds).

The XKR 75 is a very low-volume special; only 75 will be built and you’ll soon understand why when you notice the chunky £85,500 price tag. First customer cars land in October 2010.

Wooah. That’s serious money for a Jag!

Indeed it is. But the Jaguar XKR 75 has a series of mechanical revisions to accompany the higher-boost engine.

The torque converter and Active Differential Control are beefed up to cope, while the suspension is fettled too. Springs are around a third stiffer front and rear, the ride height is dropped by 15mm at the front, 10mm at the rear.

The new Jaguar XKR 75 will be unveiled for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 2 July 2010. That’s when we’ll first hear the effect of the new sports exhaust, as it rips up the hill with one lucky CAR reader onboard.

Remember our Goodwood competition a few weeks ago? It was won by reader Archie Robertson from Harpenden, who will accompany Jag’s chief test driver Mike Cross up the Goodwood hill on Friday 2 July.

Jaguar XKR 75: the body kit

The Stratus Grey paint job comes with optional stickers for the Max Power brigade. That front splitter, side sills, subtle spoilers and rear diffuser complete the package. And those 20in rims are diamond turned with a smoked finish.

Shouldn’t be hard to spot at Goodwood – with one very smiling CAR reader alongside.

Audi A1 by Damien Hirst (2010): first official picture

British artist Damien Hirst has helped Audi produce this art car: an Audi A1, which sold for €420,000 (£350,000) at a charity raffle.

The Audi A1 Damien Hurst was shown at pop star Elton John’s White Tie and Tiara Ball and the money raised goes to his AIDS foundation.
Elton John on the A1

‘That’s the most exciting object we’ve ever had on auction at the White Tie,’ said Sir Elton. Well, he would, wouldn’t he? Hirst painted the A1 at his Gloucestershire studio at the same time as a 1.8m high canvas, which was sold at the auction.

Clearly one massive publicity stunt, and we can’t imagine Audi taking his vibrant paint splatter as a palette for future models. That said, the A1 Hirst may be seen on UK streets, as it’s road registered and you’re hardly going to miss it.

We’re not sure who was rich or mad enough to splash out six figures on an A1, but the buyer’s identity will surely be made public soon enough.

Ford Mondeo facelift (2011): first news and photos

Ford has just issued these first pictures of the new, facelifted for 2011 Ford Mondeo. The revised Mondeo will be shown at the 2010 Moscow motor show in late August and will arrive in UK showrooms in October 2010.

What's new on the 2011 Ford Mondeo?

This is the first time we've seen the full-fat 237bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine in the Mondeo; a 200bhp version of the same turbo four will also be offered; and a new 198bhp 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCI engine also joins the ranks.

The range-topping 237bhp EcoBoost engine has a CO2 rating 179g/km of CO2 and comes with only one transmission option – Ford's twin-clutch Powershift 'box. Finally, Ford is catching up with the rampant roll-out of DSG gearboxes at rival mass-market specialists Volkswagen.

Mondeo styling is fettled all round, too, with a more modern iteration of Ford's kinetic design borrowing cues from the S-Max et al for a crisper look. The grille is reprofiled, the bonnet recontoured and there are now LED day running lights and rear lamps. An obvious facelift? Hardly. You'll be needing your Observer Book Of Anoraks to tell these on the road.

Anything new inside the facelifted Mondeo?

But of course. There's a new 'flow-through' centre console, fresh door cards and ambient lighting in the overhead console. Sat-nav is new and improved to stop you getting lost and an ear-beating 265-watt, 17-litre subwoofer is available too. Shame they've not yet issued an interior photo to show us all the change inside.

Gizmos include the adoption of lane departure warning, auto-dipping and glaring main beam and a new active grille shutter to tweak the aerodynamics according to speed and thermal requirements.

The Ford bigwig speaks!

'The Ford Mondeo is already a very strong package and, with the significant design changes and in particular the comprehensive array of new technologies we are introducing, we have no doubt that the new model will strengthen Mondeo's position as the flagship Ford model in our European line-up,' said John Fleming, Ford of Europe chairman and CEO. 'This is the smartest, safest, most environmentally friendly and best quality Mondeo we have ever launched, and it completes the regeneration of our CD segment range in 2010.'

Gordon Murray Design T25 (2010) first official pictures

This is Gordon Murray's new city car games, the T25. Although previously scooped by CAR as long as two years ago, these are the first official pictures of the Gordon Murray Design T25 that its makers claim will revolutionise car design, manufacturing and even the way we drive.
Doesn't Gordon Murray build super-expensive hypercars?

He did indeed design the seminal McLaren F1 and still hopes to build another one, but in the meantime the T25 is designed for the more humble motorist.

Gordon Murray Design is keen to promote itself as a leader in downsizing, both in terms of the physical footprint of the car and engine size. So the T25 is only 1.3m wide and has a turning circle of 6m, yet still fits in a driver and two adult passengers in an F1-inspired central driving position.

The two back seats can be folded down into a 'shopping mode', allowing 720 litre of storage space.
Is the Gordon Murray T25 powered by a 6.0-litre V12?

Of course not. The T25 will use a 600cc three-cylinder motor producing 51bhp and 42lb ft of torque, going through a five-speed semi-automatic gearbox. This propels the car to 62mph in a sadly un-F1 sounding 16.2 seconds, however due to the low kerbweight of 550kg it will do 74mpg on the combined cycle, emitting 86g/km of CO2 in the process.
How will the GMD T25 change the way I drive?

Gordon Murray points out that the T25's diddy size could revolutionise town planning. Imagine a world with single-lane overtaking, parking three-abreast in a regular parking space or even two next to each other in a regular garage. All made possible by the vertical-opening door, allowing the driver to exit either side of the car, although we're not quite sure how the cabin will survive in the rain...
The clever iStream manufacturing part

Underlying the entire T25 project is Gordon Murray's iStream manufacturing process. This aims to reduce the complexity, capital investment and energy intensity of the traditional assembly plant. All key manufacturing operations will take place outside of the factory, including all metal pressings and panel painting.

When will we see the T25? Sadly, GMD are still seeking investment partners and until the funds and contracts are fully in place for actual production, the T25 remains a teaser for what could be.

Mini: the 2011 facelift news and pictures

Mini has facelifted its range of hatchbacks, Clubman estates and Convertible soft-tops for the 2011 model year. There's the subtlest of design upgrades – mainly to the lights, front and rear – plus a family of new diesel engines.

The new 2011 Mini goes on sale in August 2010. Here's how you'll spot the new ones from the thousands of Minis already out there.

Mini facelift: the design story

All Minis sport a new front bumper, designed for pedestrian protection reasons. But it's marked out by new foglamps either side of the air intake – and Cooper S models get wedgy air intakes to cool the brake discs. There are new elements in the front headlamps, the side indicators are new and the rear bumpers and lights are redesigned too (the latter distinguished by concentric rings that are particularly noticeable at night).

Inside, the Mini family is spruced up by some of the learnings from the new Mini crossover. The brittle shiny plastics of today's Mini have been replaced by softer, more sophisticated materials that design boss Gert Hildebrand said researched better on the Countryman. He singled out the silvery-effect plastic on the old car's centre console as one thing that owners will really appreciate.

The new diesel engines on the Mini

A new diesel engine is now available on the Mini, bringing 99g/km of CO2 for the first time. It's a 1.6-litre four-cylinder, sharing the same bore/stroke ratio, aluminium construction and common-rail diesel tech as BMW's 2.0-litre diesel from the 320d et al. With that provenance, we could expect great things from Mini's new diesel.

Two variants are available, but both the Mini One D and Cooper D achieve an identical 74.3mpg and 99g/km thanks to stop-start, gearchange advisories and a part-time alternator control. The 111bhp/199lb ft Cooper diesel sprints to 62mph in 9.7sec, while the boggo derv mixes 89bhp/159lb ft for a 11.4sec sprint time.

The Mini rag-top is available for the first time with this new diesel engine.

Mini Connected

A new multimedia system, dubbed Mini Connected, is launched with the 2011 facelift. It is an option that lets iPhone owners (surely most Mini owners?) use web radio, Google, Facebook and Twitter from the centre console. Messages can be read out on a text-to-speech function, so cool urbanites can witter on about their lifestyle dahhling 24/7.

Other new options available for the first time on the Mini include active headlights and auto-dimming rear-view mirrors.

Think City EV Cup Edition (2010) first official pictures

Manufacturers have been trying to make their racers more economical for some time now; Audi and Peugeot have produced diesel Le Mans winners and CAR reviewed the Porsche GT3 R Hybrid in the June 2010 issue, but this the most recent fully electric offering from Norwegian company Think. 
Is the Think City EV Cup Edition really a hardcore stripped-out racer?

Think has followed the traditional road-racer conversion for this one-off prototype, by stripping out most of the interior and space for the passenger, using Perspex instead of glass in the windows, installing a solitary lightweight bucket seat and lowering the centre of gravity.

The company claims the diet reduces the Think's weight by nearly 70kg; that's the same saving as a Lamborghini Gallardo Superlegerra, remember.
Racing through a Congestion Charge zone near me soon then...

Think insists this is merely a working prototype and that bigger, more powerful batteries are still in development for next year's actual 2011 race car.

This prototype uses lithium ion batteries capable of reaching 'highway' speeds and making it crack 31 mph in a not insignificant 3.5 seconds. Think claims a range of a tad under 100 miles before it runs out of juice; not quite a Le Mans competitor yet then...

Electric city cars are often dismissed owing to their toytown dimensions, but Think believes this concept points the way towards a zero-emission racing future.

The technology and the intent is there, but if this is the future of racing, the sound of screaming engines and smell of burning petrol will be sorely missed. 

Volkswagen Cross Coupe concept car (2011)

Volkswagen has revealed the Cross Coupe concept car crossover at the 2011 Tokyo auto show.

At 4345mm long, it's roughly between Golf and Tiguan - suggesting the successor to the Tiguan could adopt a more Evoque-inspired stance.
VW Cross Coupe: the lowdown

This isn't just a conceptual look at future VW SUVs - it's also the first sight of the group's new MQB platform.

This is the architecture that'll underpin all VW family medium-sized cars, starting with the new 2012 VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon. As our European editor Georg Kacher has previously reported, it's a highly flexible platform allowing a variety of configurations, stretches and efficiencies to be made.

The Cross Coupe has unusually short overhangs, which give the car a claimed ability off road; approach angles for climbs stand at 24.2deg at the front, 32.5deg out back.
What powers the VW Cross Coupe?

Naturally, it's part-electric. The four-seater has a pair of electric motors driving all four wheels, boosted by a TSI direct-injection petrol turbo engine.

VW claims a top speed of 125mph and 0-62mph in just 7sec thanks to a combined total output of 261bhp.
Shades of Concept A?

Well remembered. That show car came in 2006 and influenced the Tiguan, which landed one year later. It'll be interesting to see if the same happens with the transition from Cross Coupe to Tiguan Mk2.

Get up to 40% off all Bauer magazine subscriptions in our christmas offer - click here

Honda EV-STER concept car (2011) first pics

Honda has recreated a Beat-style compact electric sports car at the 2011 Tokyo motor show - this stunning EV-STER concept car.

It's tiny, at just 3570mm long and 1500mm wide. And those compact dimensions mean the electric powertrain doesn't need to be too big to power this two-seater sports coupe.
Honda EV-STER: what else do we know?

The Japanese have thrown everything they know at this sports car. Carbonfibre helps trim weight (although no figures are available yet) and the EV drivetrain showcases Honda's expertise in electric motors.

Honda claims a range of around 100 miles, although drivers can choose their power output. Select warp mode on the dial, and we suspect big gobbets of silent torque will diminish that range somewhat.
I like the idea of a modern-day Beat...

So do we. Road test editor Ben Pulman, who's in Tokyo, drew the parallel - this is a tiny, K car style vehicle standing just 1100mm tall.

Honda says the EV-STER is capable of 100mph and will scuttle silently to 62mph in approximately 5.0sec.

The lithium ion battery is rated at 10kWh; Honda claims a full charge takes 'under three hours' on a 200v system.

Get up to 40% off all Bauer magazine subscriptions in our christmas offer - click here

Ferrari 599XX Evolution (2011) unveiled

While the rest of the world's media was at the Tokyo motor show, Ferrari stuck local with a surprise - modest - announcement at the 2011 Bologna motor show in Italy.

It unveiled an evolution of the Ferrari 599XX, the track-based R&D and race toy for its well heeled customers.
What's new on the Ferrari 599XX for 2012?

The 599XX gets a host of minor detailed upgrades, including most noticeably a rear wing derived from Maranello's F1 programme.

The spoiler has two flaps which rotate to adjust the downforce between the front and rear axles - not dissimilar to the controversial flexible rear wing on Massa's weekend racer. It's like DRS for the road.
Anything else new on the 599XX?

There's a smidge more power - 740bhp, be warned - and they've somehow snipped away a further 35kg from the kerbweight. New Pirelli tyres should keep you pinned to the track in case you're too busy fiddling with your new aero package mid-corner, which is claimed to achieve a not inconsiderable 440kg of downforce in the closed position.

End result? The newest 599XX laps Fiorano in 1min 15sec.

Get up to 40% off all Bauer magazine subscriptions in our christmas offer - click here

Subaru BRZ (2011): finally, the first official pictures

Subaru has finally unveiled the BRZ coupe, the sister sports car to Toyota’s GT 86. Both were shown at the 2011 Tokyo auto show. These first official photographs depict mildly different characters, but the same low-slung stance.

Everything about the BRZ is low – its 2.0-litre flat four contributes to a centre of gravity nearer the road than the roof, its bonnet is made from aluminium and its 197bhp and 151lb ft of torque should make this 1220kg two-seater fly.
Subaru BRZ: how big?

It’s 4240mm long, 1300mm tall and 1775mm wide - making it a tad longer, lower and narrower than an Audi TT. Subaru calls it a 2+2, but those rear seats will almost qualify for a -2 tag. The 17in wheels are suspended by front struts and rear double wishbones.

The 2.0-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine is Subaru's, but Toyota's direct injection provides the fuel, boosting power and efficiency. The transmission is claimed to be a short-shift six-speed manual 'box and - unusually for a Subaru - only the rear axle is driven.

Buyers in Japan and selected markets will be able to order a six-speed auto transmission too. It has a Sport mode for faster gearchanges, a throttle blip function likes Nissan's 370Z and paddles for finger-nudging shifts.
Inside the Subaru BRZ

The rev counter takes pride of place in the instrument pack, while the speedo is digitised. We've seen the car in Tokyo and the cabin offers a focused, sporting milieu.

UK sales begin in July 2012. Subaru's UK importer expects to sell around 500 BRZs a year, but that will hinge on the yen exchange rate which is currently making Japanese exports unreasonably expensive.

Andy Priaulx’s guide to 2012's BMW M3 DTM racer

The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is the world’s greatest tin-top race series, and after a twenty-year absence BMW is returning to the DTM in 2012 – it’s been tempted back by new rules and regulations that cut costs, improve safety, and make the racing closer and more exciting than ever. And Guernseyman Andy Priaulx is one of just six drivers who has a seat in the half dozen M3s that’ll battle Mercedes’ C Class Coupe DTM and Audi’s A5 DTM next year. We caught up with the three-time World Touring Car Champion to find out about his new 480bhp company car.
CAR: How competitive will BMW be?

Andy Priaulx: 'We won’t know until the first qualifying session of the first race exactly where we’re at. We’re not going to embarrass ourselves but we’ve got to respect Audi and Mercedes – they know the championship, they know the tyre, they know the formula and what makes a DTM car work. We’re not going to learn that information overnight. We’re going to have to do our testing in public but I’m very optimistic with the people we have onboard that we can perform really well.

'Our goal is to be competitive, and until we’re competitive we can’t think of winning races. That alone is a massive task, and the magnitude of this championship, with the approach of the other manufacturers, it’s going to be a real tough fight.'
How has the M3 DTM developed since it was unveiled in July 2011?

'BMW has always been professional in motor racing, but they have gone to an F1 operation overnight. I came back to my first test at the Lausitzring and was quite shocked by the approach, the structure and the magnitude of the test and what we’re doing in the DTM.

'The car has shown a lot of performance immediately and feels good, but we need that testing time to learn the tyres, learn the aero package and to really make the car good enough to win, It’s constantly evolving: what we rolled out two months ago is totally different now. We’re saving weight, the car is getting lighter and lighter and that makes it react differently. We’re trying different geometry and kinematic settings, exploring new things in every test. Our engineers our pushing the limit to find the best aero package and balance in the car before homologation. And March 2012 is not a long time. We’ve got to develop a whole car in that time.'
Does the M3 DTM differ much from the M3 GT you’ve been racing for the past few years?

'It’s very different. The DTM car has carbon brakes, so the temperatures need to be much higher and you have to hit the pedal a lot harder to slow the car down. But you can brake harder and later because of the downforce; there’s twice as much downforce as the GT car so high-speed corners are really quick.

'Then there’s the carbonfibre monocoque, the transaxle gearbox, and proper Formula-type suspension, and it’s lighter so it reacts quicker – it’s a lot more of a pure racing car than the GT.

'The DTM uses a much smaller restrictor than what we have in GT racing, but engine performance feels similar because the DTM car is lighter. But for me the biggest standout difference is the aero and mechanical grip.'
Do the M3 DTM and M3 GT require a different approach to race?

'You’ve got to drive the DTM car with a lot of energy. You’ve really got to drive the car hard to do a lap time so it’s physically more demanding than a GT car. You sit a lot lower, so visibility is not as good – you feel locked into a serious racing machine.

'The GT car is still great though: you’ve got 500bhp, probably more power than the DTM car because of the bigger restrictors, traction control, and the racing is really good. It’s not like the DTM car is much better to drive, it’s just a lot faster and it does everything better.'
BMW M3 DTM spec

Length: 4775mm (without rear wing)
Width: 1950mm
Height: approx. 1,200mm (depending on set-up)
Chassis/Bodywork: CFRP monocoque with steel roll cage structure
Transmission: Sequential 6-speed gearbox
Engine type: V8
Capacity: 4000cc
Max power output: approx. 480bhp (with air restrictor as per regulations)
Andy Priaulx’s bio

Born: 8 August 1973
Career highlights
1990: 1st place Motocross 250cc Championship (Channel Islands)
1995: 1st place RAC MSA British Hillclimb Championship
1999: 1st place Renault Spider Cup, 13 wins from pole
2004: European Touring Car Champion
2005: Winner of Nürburgring 24hrs
2005-2007: World Touring Car Champion
2008: Awarded an MBE
2011 1st place GT class 12h race Sebring (BMW M3 GT)
BMW M3 race highlights

1987-1992: 40 wins and over 150 podiums in the German Touring Car Championship
2005 and 2010: Winner of the Nürburgring 24hrs
2011: Winner of the GT drivers’, team and manufacturer’s championships in the American Le Mans Series
BMW M3 DTM teams

BMW Team RMG: New to the DTM
BMW Team RBM: 2004 European Touring Car Champion, and 2005-2007 World Touring Car games Champions
BMW Team Schnitzer:  Won BMW’s first ever DTM title with Roberto Ravaglia in 1989, and has taken four overall victories at the Nürburgring 24hrs, the latest in 2005 and 2010 with GTR and GT-spec M3s