SMART ROADSTER returns... as AC

The Smart Roadster is a two-door microcar first introduced in 2003 by Smart GmbH. Unfortunately, sales of the Roadster and Roadster Coupé were below expectations, resulting in a halt of production of both models in November 2005 after about 43,000 Roadsters were made..
Legendary AC is set to make an historic return to UK production with the launch of a new sports car.
It's official! Legendary AC is set to make an historic return to UK production with the launch of a new sports car from industry group Project Kimber.
The announcement ends months of speculation about the true identity of the firm's top-secret two-seater, to be built at a factory in Wales.It's also been confirmed that the lightweight machine will be designed and engineered by some of the UK's most accomplished automotive experts. Gordon Murray, the South African-born designer responsible for the McLaren F1 road car, is involved, as is John Piper, who helped build the JCB Dieselmax land speed record machine. But while Pro­ject Kimber has revealed the names behind its new model, the exact specifications remain secret.However, it is set to be available as a roadster and coupé, based on the mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive Smart Roadster, production of which ended last year. The newcomer is expected to have a fresh power-plant and gearbox, plus a distinct original style created by Keith Helfet, who also worked on the Jaguar F-Type concept car. Production is due to start in 2007, and the maker hopes to build 8,000 examples of the AC every year. Prices have not yet been discussed by the company, although speculation has suggested a figure in the region of £13,000. The use of the AC name will not affect production of the AC MkV heritage sports car, which is assembled in small numbers in Malta.

MERCEDES-BENZ C-Class Sports Coupe 1.8 C 160 SE

The Sports Coupe may be ageing, but it remains competitive. However, as with so many Mercs, it's simply too expensive. + Fantastic grip, good body control, class-leading 30-year recovery deal, excellent rear passenger space, driving position- Too expensive for its class, poorly equipped, auto gearbox, high CO2 emissions, load area is cramped, firm ride of sport versionsDrivingThe Merc handles well thanks to its rear-wheel-drive set-up. There's plenty of gip, minimal body roll and it's precise in corners. However, the steering is too light and the ride much firmer than rivals' - although in fairness, our test car was a Sport Edition, running on lowered suspension and big wheels. More mainstream models are much more compliant, in our experience. The supercharged four-cylinder petrol engines are also torquey and, while a bit throbby, they're refined at a cruise. It's a pity the diesel engines aren't up to the same standard. The 2.1-litre is noisy at start-up, and lacks the urgency of smaller units from rivals. Offered with two power outputs, CDI models are also beaten by competitors at the test track - though the blame for this can be laid at the door of the Sports Coupe's heavy 1,515kg kerbweight. MarketplaceThe C-Class Sports Coupe boasts far more aggressive styling than the C-Class saloon. Gone is the bonnet-mounted three-pointed star, replaced by a larger Mercedes emblem on the slatted grille, which itself gets an aluminium finish rather than a plastic one. But we don't think the proportions work that well. Viewed side-on, the three-door seems nose heavy and stunted at the back. What's more, the spoiler cutting across the tailgate glass is fussy and hampers rear visibility. It does have a sport, coupe-like stance, however, with a low roofline and smooth curves. But it's beginning to show its age alongside rivals such as the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and Volvo C30.OwningThe Mercedes is long, with a large wheelbase, so it's a surprise the boot is small and blighted by a narrow opening. It's rear passengers that benefit from the extra length. The Merc provides excellent rear seat space, and offers easy access too, thanks to the clever sliding and lifting front chairs. The rear offers excellent head and legroom, and although getting three adults in is a bit of a squeeze, short journeys are bearable. Forward visibility is also commanding. Cabin design and quality is good, too. The two instrument dials are backlit white at night, and positioned in between them is a multifunction screen which is controlled via buttons on the steering wheel. We were surprised by the amount of blank switches on the centre console, but fit and finish are superb and the interior has a stylish feel that's missing from rivals. However, it all comes at a price. It costs £thousands more than rivals - and that's before you add any options, something most buyers will do given that standard equipment isn't very generous. Retained values are strong, though.

HONDA S2000 2.0 Roadster

The Honda S2000 is a roadster manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company since April 1999. The car was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, and continues in the tradition of lightweight roadster "S" cars such as the S600 and S800. Like previous S cars, the name of the S2000 comes from its engine displacement of approximately 2000 cc (although Honda would later introduce a 2200 cc model, retaining the S2000 name).

The sales success of the Porsche Boxster has impressed everyone, but it was hardly surprising that it was Honda that came out with the strongest competitor. The Japanese manufacturer has the right credentials and if the style of the S2000 is under-played, the rest of the package is highly impressive. Under the bonnet is the world's most powerful non-turbo 2.0-litre engine, producing 240bhp. Yet it's not just this raw power that makes the Honda so exciting. Everything has been designed to thrill. The driving position feels every inch the sports car, your feet find perfectly spaced pedals, for your left hand a titanium topped gear knob. It's a cinch to drive around town, too.The only criticism is that you have to be very single-minded to make the most of the performance - let the revs drop below 6,000rpm and the S2000 is about as lively as a Mazda MX-5. Above that, and the revs scream around to 9,000 rpm in the blink of an eye. With perfect weight distribution and sharp, precise steering, cornering is also predictable and fun. Revised models are available now, which feature more colours and a glass rear window.

ALFA GT Q2 joins....

Gone are the days when the only way of controlling a powerful car was to make it rear or four-wheel drive. Alfa Romeo engineers have come up with a system that can tame the most potent diesel version of its front-wheel-drive GT coupé.

We’ve already been impressed by the firm’s new Q2 differential in the 147 hatchback, but how does it rate in the bigger GT?
The torque-sensing Torsen unit constantly adjusts the amount of power directed to each of the front wheels to suit conditions – and the results are impressive. It doesn’t matter if you’re mid-corner when the 16-valve oil-burner delivers its 305Nm surge of torque, because the Q2’s clever mechan­icals help to maintain traction and prevent the power from disappearing in a cloud of useless wheelspin.
As a result, you find yourself accelerating harder and earlier than before, making full use of the free-revving diesel unit. The system also improves stability under braking, and is very smooth in operation, so there’s no snatching of the steering wheel or the sudden lightness that signals a loss of grip.
The rest of the charismatic GT’s drive­train remains unchanged, which means you get a six-speed manual gearbox and impressive performance matched with decent economy. Crucially, the spacious four-seater cabin and 320-litre boot are also unaltered, although the pretty styling has been enhanced.
As well as the clever differential, buyers also get a range of cosmetic tweaks to set the Q2 apart from the standard car. Most obvious are the five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, but twin chrome exhausts and a satin finish on the grille and door mirrors also distinguish the newcomer. A small Q2 badge on the tailgate and lower stance – thanks to tweaked suspension – provide more discreet clues.
The £1,000 premium the Q2 is likely to command above the standard car is also easier to bear when you consider the interior upgrades. As well as black leather upholstery with red stitching, buyers also get stylish metal sill protectors, classy anthracite trim on the dash and steering wheel controls for the uprated stereo.
Ultimately, the new Q2 differential makes a greater impact in the smaller, more nimble 147 hatch, but it’s still a welcome addition that gives a boost to the stylish GT range.

Chrysler CROSSFIRE 3.2 V6

This fantastic-looking two-seater coupe and convertible is one of the most characterful around. You may not instantly love the styling but there's no denying it's distinctive and comes complete with electric spoiler which pops up over 60mph. Enormous wheels - 19 inch at the rear, 18 inch at the front - add to the drama, but create expectations the interior can't entirely live up to. Basically, it's a Chrysler/Mercedes SLK hybrid; unsurprising, as to get the Crossfire quickly to market, Chrysler has utilised the SLK platform. It's an acceptable cabin but lacks both the visual drama of the outside, and the quality of many rivals. It's also very cramped indeed, particularly for the passenger who has to sit on a 'false' floor which raises the seat and restricts headroom. The cabriolet is worse, and the unlined hood is particularly noisy when cruising at speed, while visibility is severely restricted in both coupe and cabriolet models.Still, it's an entertaining car to drive. The Mercedes-sourced 215bhp 3.2-litre V6 engine sounds tremendous and performs with real vigour, though it's best mated to the five-speed auto 'box, as the six-speed manual can be very reluctant. An auto is unavailable with the supercharged version also on offer, but with 330bhp and 60mph in 5.3 seconds, the SRT-6 keeps you occupied enough anyway. Unfortunately, handling can't match the dramatic looks, with unforgivably stodgy steering and a feel more like a Mercedes saloon; naturally, the SRT-6's extra power accentuates this lethargy. It makes a fine cruiser though, and is as 'competent' as the SLK is draws heavily upon. The Crossfire is also jam-packed with equipment, including a tremendous 240-watt stereo, indulgent electric leather seats and semi-automatic air conditioning. The only choices you have are cabriolet or coupe and manual or automatic, and you won't be wanting for standard equipment in any either.

FORD IOSIS X 4x4 Focus Based (New)

Ford Iosis XBold Focus 4x4 has the X-factor.

It’s X-citing, it’s X-clusive... Auto Express is the first magazine in the world to take to the road in the Focus 4x4 – Ford’s first compact SUV, and arguably its most important new car of the year.

While the production version isn’t due to go on sale here until December 2008, we climbed behind the wheel of the sensational Iosis X prototype to find out if its performance matches the heart-stopping styling.
Packed with advanced technology, the car shares its wheelbase with the five-door Focus hatch. Even so, its elevated ride height gives it significantly more road presence, as our pictures show.
Getting into the cabin is made eas­ier by a step which folds down before the doors open – something Ford’s engineers hope to incorporate on the production car. But once you’re inside, plenty of surprises await. For a start, there are windows in the footwell!
To be honest, the glass floor is a bit disconcerting. We were assured it was easily capable of bearing our weight, but whether it will aid road safety is another matter. When you’re rolling along, the urge to watch the ground rushing by beneath you becomes strangely compelling. In fact, it’s so distracting, we nearly ran into the back of our camera car a couple of times!
Other details are better thought-out. You adjust the seats using the chrome handle between your legs, while the switchgear – such as the electric window buttons, electric handbrake and Apple iPod-style controller for the dash-mounted screen – sits on the centre console. Ford hasn’t held back on the colour, either. White detailing complements the exterior, while bright orange features prominently on the console, steering wheel and stitching on the four Alcantara-covered sports seats.
The engine on this model is Ford’s excellent 2.0-litre TDCi diesel, which will appear on the production version. With plenty of torque from low in the rev range, it makes effortless progress, despite the weight of the 4x4 system.
All variants will be four-wheel drive, but with a set-up similar to the new Land Rover Freelander’s, whereby the front wheels are driven until a loss of grip is detected, at which point power heads rearwards. Yet this machine is designed more for the school run than hardcore mud-plugging, so its on-road driving ability is more important. And although it’s difficult to give a proper assessment of the ride on those huge 20-inch wheels, the steering is certainly accurate and the interior well insulated from engine, road and wind noise.
Body roll is contained in corners and, taking into account other cars in Ford’s range, it would be a surprise if the driv­ing dyn­amics didn’t put the production version among the class leaders.
While the firm is a late arrival to the SUV party, it’s keen to make a really big entrance by placing value for money high on the agenda. As a result, the car is likely to follow the Focus ST and S-MAX with an aggressive pricing strategy.
It is to enter the market at around £18,000 – and that alone should see the Iosis X rated very highly indeed.

Renault Twingo (New)

Renault TwingoFace-to-face with Renaut's baby
As unique as the Eiffel Tower, but as common as a Parisian café, the Renault Twingo is a French institution.
Thje Twingo's cute looks and budget price made it a massive success on the Continent, but now a new version is in development which will cross the Channel and hit British roads for the first time.Having looked on in awe at the success of the MINI, Renault is aiming to pull a similar trick in the city car class. Offering premium quality in a small package, the Twingo is designed to bridge class barriers and appeal to all types of driver. And there’s no doubt that the firm has worked hard to get everything right. The city car was even sent back to the drawing board part way through its development as the original shape was judged to be too close in style to its predecessor’s.
Unlike any other model in the Renault line-up, the tiny hatchback has its own distinctive front end. The large, bug-like lights and gaping airdam will make it to the production car, while the 17-inch alloy wheels will be replaced by smaller rims on basic variants. At the rear, Renault’s trademark upright screen features, along with neat Clio 197-style exhaust pipes.
The Twingo will only be available as a three-door, and fits into the range between the Clio Campus – a cheap version of the old-shape supermini, which remains in production for the next two years – and the all-new Clio. Inside, designers have been given more of a free rein to shun practicality and pen a show-stopping cabin.
No fewer than three iPods are installed on the show car’s centre console, and these set the tone for vast areas of retro white plastic panels. Extras such as the built-in DJ mixing desk and enormous 15-inch TV screen will remain a fantasy, but don’t dismiss the MINI-inspired centrally mounted speedo – this will become a production reality. The sporty bucket seats will be replaced with more practical items, but both four and five-seat Twingo variants will be built.
While the concept is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol engine, buyers get the choice of three powerplants. Basic models have a 75bhp 1.2-litre unit, while a new 100bhp 1.2-litre turbo will debut. Already tested by Auto Express in the Zoé concept (Issue 851), the efficient motor returns 48mpg and emits less than 140g/km of CO2. The range is completed by Renault’s acclaimed 1.5-litre dCi diesel in three power outputs
As well as a five-speed manual, the Twingo will also be available with a two-pedal automated manual gearbox. This paddleshifter-equipped model will be ideal for stop-start urban traffic.
However, the Renault won’t get a cutting-edge chassis. It’s based on the previous-generation Clio’s platform, but will be developed to deliver a lively and entertaining driving experience.
At launch, there will be two trim levels – the plush Dynamique or warm-hatch GT. These will be joined by a hot Renaultsport performance model in the summer of 2008. This variant will use the 1.2-litre turbo­charged powerplant to deliver around 140bhp to the front wheels. During its production life, the Twingo will also be offered in unique special-edition trims, which will be designed with colour schemes to fit in with seasonal fashion trends.
Renault has yet to finalise prices, but entry-level models should start at around £7,000, rising to £9,000 for well equipped turbocharged variants. And just like the MINI, the Twingo will be available with an extensive options list, with most drivers expected to pay extra to make their car unique.
Set to go on sale in the UK next September, the newcomer will be unveiled in production form at the Geneva Motor Show in March. We’ll have to wait until then to see how much of the concept’s character has been retained, but if Renault keeps its promises, it could have another small car champion in its line-up.

Jaguar Redubs S-Type “XF”

New car conforms to Jaguar names, not to norms.

Jaguar says the replacement for the S-Type sedan, its mid-size luxury offering, won't bear the S-Type badge when it hits the market in spring of 2008.

Instead, the new car will be dubbed the XF, adopting the naming strategy of Jaguar's top-end models, the XJ and the XK.

Jaguar says the new car will be developed in Coventry and will be built in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, U.K

"The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars, said in a release.

Rumors and spy shots have suggested that the new XF will take a radical styling turn when it bows in 2008. Our spies tell us that the new XF will take direct aim at the BMW 5-Series. According to insider information, the new XF will adapt styling elements from both the 2003 RD6 and R Coupe concept cars and will be getting an oval mesh grille split by a chrome bar with the Jaguar badge. Twin single-unit headlights and a bumper with integrated twin fog lamps are in the offing, too.
Engines come from the current S-Type lineup: a 2.7-liter turbodiesel, a 3.0-liter V-6 and a 300-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 will be carried over. A 420-hp V-8 will be derived from the XKR.

VW TIGUAN 4x4 (New)

Volkswagen Golf

Wraps taken off new Golf 4x4
Check out VW's new Tiguan, a Golf-sized 4x4 aiming to go places the family car has never been before.

Unveiled at this week's Los Angeles Motor Show in California, it reveals how VW's designers have clearly been inspired by the company's full-size SUV, with squared-off lines from the Touareg.

Its boxy dimensions and chunky styling give the 4.4-metre long Tiguan a wide stance and ensure a spacious cabin, while a host of trademark design cues mean the 4x4 is unmistakable as a VW. The chrome grille, distinctive headlamps and neat rear light clusters all mimic those found on the Passat saloon and Eos coupé-cabrio.The Tiguan's contoured side panels feature large protective mouldings, while the sills and lower sections of the front and rear bumpers are unpainted to prevent damage from the rough and tumble of off-roading. However, designers have included a range of colour co-ordinated features elsewhere.Neat touches include massive 19-inch alloy wheels, which help to give the model a tough look. They're expected to make it to production, while the door mirrors and foglight surrounds will get the same gunmetal grey colour treatment. The Tiguan also wears special tyres which reveal a contrasting orange pattern to match the bold bodywork. The clever rubber was made by tyre company Conti­nental, and features a baked-in coloured layer, which is exposed by the grooves of the tread.While the fancy pattern is unlikely to appear on showroom models, the interior has a production feel, as much of the switchgear is from other cars in the German giant's line-up. The new off-roader also has a full-length panoramic glass roof, which is sure to be popular with family buyers. However, as with rivals such as Land Rover's Freelander and Toyota's RAV4, there are no plans to offer a third row of seats, so the Tiguan will be a strict five-seater. When the SUV reaches showrooms, it's expected that models featuring VW's 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system will account for most sales, but bosses are also planning a front-wheel-drive-only entry-level variant. The engine line-up will have FSI petrol and TDI diesel engines, including a brand new environmentally friendly oil-burner. The so-called 'Clean TDI' unit will meet the toughest emissions regulations in the world. However, while the advanced system won't lead to tax breaks for UK buyers, it's big news in the US, where the 90 per cent reduc­tion in nitrogen oxide output means the diesel will meet strict anti-pollution requirements for the first time.VW fans won't have to wait long to get their first chance to see the roadgoing Tiguan. It will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and arrive in showrooms in the UK at the beginning of 2008. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but entry-level variants are likely to start from around £19,000.

VW SCIROCCO rolls again...

Volkswagen Scirocco

Scirocco rolls again...
Bringing Audi TT thrills to the masses, the new Scirocco is the next in a long line of legendary Volkswagens...

Still badged IROC in concept form, the sports hatch will become the new Scirocco in 2008. When we caught up with the dazzling Viper Green metallic stunner in the mid-dle of the German city of Hanover, the new-wave Volkswagen caused every head in the street to turn. Seen away from the glamour and bright lights of the Paris Motor Show stand, where it made its world debut back in Septem­ber, the Scirocco appears even more striking. It's very low and wide, especially from the rear, while the distinctive front end is sharp and classy.And the best news is that VW des­igner Rüdiger Folten has promised the Scirocco's exterior will look the same as the prototype's, bar a few millimetres' difference here and there. The way you get into the IROC adds to the sense of occasion - you press a sliver of alloy that sits flush in the door skin, and then an electrically powered handle pops out to grant you access to the colourful cabin. Up front there are figure-hugging bucket seats complete with racing harnesses, and in the rear you'll find two individual chairs, similar to the arrangement seen in the Volvo C30. It's worth a quick sit in the back, because not only will you enjoy reasonable leg and headroom, but your view through the full-length panoramic glass sunroof makes it feel as though you're in a convertible.Yet it's the figure-hugging driver's seat where you really need to be. Ahead of you is a stylish steering wheel that pays homage to that of the original Scirocco of the Seventies, while buried deep within a pair of tubular cowls are blue-backlit electronic dials; other digital instrumentation is dotted around the facia and the switch­gear is also illuminated in blue. Designer Folten explains that for cost reasons, the Scirocco's cabin won't look quite so radical. But he does predict it will use materials and finishes which we haven't seen before.A button on the console brings the machine to life, and the 1.4-litre turbo­charged and supercharged 210bhp TSI powerplant fires up with a sharp-edged bark. The gearbox is a DSG sequential manual unit, controlled by a chunky lever ahead of the starter button.A concept car this may be, yet the IROC leaps away from a standstill like a sprinter out of the blocks, and its exhaust note has a metallic rasp that sports car fans will love. Our test route didn't allow much room for play - besides which, the steering and suspension haven't been properly set up - but it's clear that the Scirocco won't be short of performance. And its handling and character should be as entertaining as the Golf GTI's.VW is aiming for a starting price of around £18,000. As well as the hi-tech TSI unit, the range is likely to include FSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. But no matter which model you choose, buyers will get a great-looking, surpris­ingly practical three-door coupé with the kind of badge heritage that rivals will find difficult to match.

MAZDA RX8 1.3 Rot 192

The Mazda RX-8 is a sports car manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation. It first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and like its predecessors in the RX range it is powered by a Wankel rotary engine.
Not only does the Mazda RX-8 break conventional coupe rules by having two extra rear hinged doors to give access to passengers, but it also comes powered by a rotary engine. Those rear doors might be considered a gimmick, but with proper passenger space in the rear they might actually be used. And why wouldn't you want to take a couple of passengers along for the ride - the RX-8 is a car you'll want to show off. Its unique high-revving 1.3-litre rotary engine produces either 192PS or 231PS, the bigger output car coming with six-speed transmission, the less powerful version making do with five ratios. Both are fast and involving, the body control is excellent with low roll in the bends, while ride comfort is also high. The engine needs to be revved, to the detriment of fuel economy, but combined with the slick transmissions it's part of the RX-8's appeal.It looks sensational, and with its four doors is rather practical too. This really is a coupe that you could use as a family car. The interior is spacious with plenty of storage space, the instruments and controls are all well positioned in a style familiar to Mazda's more recent offerings like the 6. Prices are low and equipment is high, making the RX-8 an appealing proposition. A smart and able all rounder, the RX-8 really is one of the few coupes out there that you can buy with your head and your heart.

ALFA ROMEO GT 2.0 jts (Review)

Coupes are all about style, so any coupe with the Alfa Romeo badge on it should be a sensational looker. The GT proves this, its beautifully balanced lines perfectly mating graceful elegant style with a hint of sporting purposefulness. That alone would be enough for many buyers, but underneath that dramatic coupe body there's a car that's not as compromised by its style as many rivals. The rear seats are useable for adults, even if getting in isn't too easy and the boot is spacious and accessed by a large hatchback opening. Like the majority of coupes it shares lots of components from other models in the range, which means the dashboard from the 147 and a version of the 156's platform.

That's no bad thing as the 156 is a capable front-wheel-drive performer and it also has an impressive range of engines to cherry-pick from. That means the GT is available with the 1.9JTD turbodiesel and 2.0-litre JTS direct injection petrol engines, as well as Alfas fabulous 3.2-litre V6. Despite being front-wheel-drive the GT is able to provide a genuinely involving drive, the ride firm but not unforgiving and the handling predictable and surefooted. The steering is nicely weighted and accurate and even with 240bhp going through the front wheels in the GT V6 it remains relatively uncorrupted by the power. The JTD diesel perhaps offers the best all-round proposition though, with good looks and tremendous economy without sacrificing performance. A sensible coupe then? Yes, and never has being sensible looked so appealing.

FIAT PUNTO 1.2 Active

Despite the advent of the latest Grande Punto, Fiat has decided to keep selling the car it replaces. The range is tiny, limited to a single 1.2-litre petrol Active model, in either three-door or five-door guise. Oddly, prices also sit slightly above the vastly superior car that replaces it, meaning we can't really see the point in choosing this ageing supermini. It's dated-looking and the interior, while roomy, is also very plasticky and not all that well-built. And the gutless engine summons meagre performance, though it is a fair bit more economical than the comparable Grande Punto.The newer car easily has the hand from behind the wheel, though. The Punto rides poorly and noisily, while steering is feel-free and the soft handling can feel skittish when compared to the best this sector has to offer. It feels the ageing car that it is, and we really can't recommend it when more modern rivals offer so much more. That it would have more appeal if it were cheaper makes Fiat's pricing policy seem all the more unfathomable; though apparently, lots of these Puntos are used as hire and courtesy cars. This savages nearly-new prices, but does make them much better value as used buys!

CORVETTE C6 6.0 V8 Covertible LHD

Sports cars rarely come more iconic than the Corvette. America's best selling performance model has always looked the part on the right roads but somehow never quite made the grade in Europe. Now GM has got serious. And the new, sixth edition, is more likely than ever to succeed over here. The statistics are mouth-watering. 6.0-litre V8, 400bhp, composite bodywork, performance that knocks a regular 911 into a cocked hat and all at a mere £45K. Technically it's also a little oddball. Double wishbones all-round, but the rear uses leaf springs in a novel way, while the engine has just two-valves per cylinder with pushrods. No European manufacturer could get away with a specification that 'sounds' so low-tech, but GM knows how to hone the Corvette to perfection. Certainly those rear leaf springs are said to afford it dynamic advantages.
The result is awe-inspiring, both in terms of performance and aural appeal. The latest Corvette is a truly mean machine, hurling you explosively forward whenever you feel the urge, yet offering great control too. It responds better and better to increasing speed, with the steering weighting up to give feel and precision in the bends. There's tons of grip from those 19inch tyres, with traction and stability control to keep things in check. Switch them off if you dare. A viable UK contender then? Well, it's still only left-hand-drive. And the interior doesn't really measure up to Audi, BMW or Jaguar, though it's better than many US machines. But it is such great fun, the roof does stow in the boot for that Targa effect, there's a fine stereo and your neighbour won't have one in his drive.

BENTLEY Arnage

The Arnage benefited from major revisions in 2006. Headline change was a power boost for the Arnage T's classic 6.75-litre V8 engine - it now produces 500bhp and a colossal 1,000Nm of torque! A new computer-controlled six-speed auto handles all the power, though it's worth noting that even the standard non-turbo V8 produces 450bhp and 875Nm. Luckily, a new ESP system helps drivers keep the rear-driven super-luxury saloon on the straight and narrow, and there's even a hi-tech tyre pressure monitoring system. How to tell these revised models from their predecessors? Bentley 'B' badges now adorn the D-pillars, while the Arnage T sports a new dark finish to its radiators. R and long-wheelbase RL variants boast a standardised bright chrome finish. Inside, the steering column has a wider range of adjustment, and there's a new multi-colour information panel set between the dials. The RL even has a rear-view reversing camera.All Arnage can summon amazing performance. Even the Arnage R hits 60mph in 5.5 seconds, with the T trimming this to 5.2 seconds - and while the standard car is fast enough at 168mph all-out, the T stretches this to an amazing 179mph! But the chassis can deal with it, particularly now it's equipped with latest-generation safety aids. It can be flung into corners like a much smaller car, and entertains the driver in a way such an expensive, lavishly-trimmed model really shouldn't. It's not cheap to buy and certainly not cheap to run, but the classically-British Bentley still appeals, even alongside its modern sibling, the Flying Spur. That buyers are able to choose from two luxury saloons that go about their job in such different ways makes you wish to be rich enough for it to be a problem...

SUBARU IMPREZA RB320

Subaru Impreza RB320
Subaru has announced a new special edition Impreza WRX STI in memory of rally hero Richard Burns who died last year of cancer.

Called the RB320, the new car features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 320 PS Prodrive Performance Pack, yet costs £29,995 on-the-road – an increase of only £3,500.
Available only in Obsidian Black, the RB320 features bespoke 18 ins alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, a sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by 30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.
Customers placing early orders with deposits will be offered a limited number of places at a special RB320 launch event next March at Prodrive’s test track in Warwickshire.

PEUGEOT 207 GTI (Peugeot GTI is back...)

One of the most famous badges in motoring folklore is back as Peugeot pulls the wraps off the 207 GTi.

The marque used to be synonymous with pocket rockets, but since the 205 GTi’s demise in 1993, it has struggled to keep the memory alive and maintain the interest of driving enthusiasts. So a lot rests on the newcomer, not least because it has to do battle with two fierce new competitors – the MINI Cooper S and Renaultsport Clio 197.
Don’t let this Peugeot’s plain looks deceive you, though. It may be a prototype, but it’s fitted with a number of unique styling modifications which will appear on the final production versions – most notably the rear boot spoiler and silver door mirrors. What’s more, 17-inch alloy wheels are likely to feature. However, unlike the Clio 197, the newcomer won’t gain unique bodywork – and that’s a shame!
Under the skin, though, there’s the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine from the recently launched 207 GT. It has been uprated from 150bhp to the same 175bhp output as the MINI Cooper S – hardly surprising, as the four-cylinder forced-induction powerplant is a joint venture between BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroen. One point of difference bet­ween the two machines is the transmission. While the MINI employs a six-speeder, the 207 GTi will have only a five-gear transmission.
Although bosses claim the healthy 240Nm torque output (available from just 1,600rpm) means the car doesn’t need the extra ratio, buyers in this class now expect it. What’s even more disappointing is the vague, sloppy shift quality of this familiar Peugeot set-up.
That was the only major drawback we noticed, though. True, our car was a stripped-out version which had been converted for rally use (badged LW for Light Weight, it is set to compete in a low-cost championship), and so was stiffer and not as heavy as standard.
But the overall set-up was largely unaltered. As we have said before, the ordinary 207 has superior steering and chassis balance, plus keener handling, than the equivalent Clio, and although it’s hard on this evidence to gauge whether the GTi will get the better of the 197, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
The car we drove turns in tautly, grips hard and the flexible engine ensures there’s plenty of torque to pull you out of tight corners. It’s nimble and changes direction with relish, although it doesn’t have the same frenetic energy as the 197. However, once fitted with full sound insulation, it’s likely to be a better companion on long trips, thanks to its more supple suspension.
The brakes were too sharp, although this is an area engineers admit they are still working on. Prices won’t be announced until its unveiling, but the three-door-only GTi is expected to com­mand a £1,500 premium over the GT.

AUDI R8 Le Mans

The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car released by the German automaker Audi in 2006. Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans, which was a concept car at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006.
The Audi R8 will be available in mid-2007 with a 4.2 L V8 making 420 hp, as seen in the Audi RS4. Pricing for the 420 bhp model starts from €104,400 or £77,000 (Approx. $140,000 USD). A second, more powerful engine variant that uses the 520-hp, 5.2 L V10 as seen in the Audi S8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo is rumored but not confirmed by Audi. The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb). A 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) time of about 4.2 seconds is possible with a top speed of about 301 km/h (180 mph). Audi is currently in the process of developing a new turbocharged 5.2 L V10 engine for the future Audi RS6, and there is a possibility that this engine will make its way into the R8, dependent on marketing decisions. Test mules of this vehicle are developing well in excess of 600 bhp with the turbocharged 5.2 L V10. If this were to happen it is almost certain that this would create an RS8. There is some confusion with the name which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8's successor, the diesel-powered R10).