Vauxhall says no to Chevrolet SS New Chevrolet sports sedan will not be joining Vauxhall’s UK range
Vauxhall has denied rumours that its VXR8 is about to be joined in the range by another rear-wheel-drive V8 muscle car. 

Speculation was rife that the VXR8 was set to get a sister model after General Motors’ Australian arm, Holden, signed a deal to sell its 2014 Commodore with a 6.0-litre V8 as the Chevrolet SS in the US. 

Holden’s performance division, Holden Special Vehicles, already supplies Vauxhall with the 425bhp VXR8 GTS and similarly powerful ClubSport saloons, plus the VXR8 Tourer and VXR8 Maloo pick-up, which are built in Australia on the platform shared by the Commodore and Chevrolet Camaro. 

Chevrolet teamed up with Holden as it needs a rear-drive V8 in NASCAR – its volume-selling Impala model is front-wheel drive. 

Yet a Vauxhall spokesman said: “We’re glad to have [cars like the VXR8] as they add spice to the brand, but we have no plans to expand the range.” 

Vauxhall says around 50 VXRs are sold annually, and that the cars are built to order. “If you come in and order one, you’ll get one, but we do not have a stock surplus,” added the spokesman. “The core cars of the VXR range will remain the Astra and the Corsa – that’s where we make the money.”

Chevrolet hasn’t ruled out adding the SS to its UK line-up.

For an alternative review of the latest Vauxhall VXR8 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Abarth 695 Maserati Edition – Abarth 695 Maserati Edition Special edition Maserati-inspired Abarth 500 announced for European showrooms

Abarth has revealed its new 695 Maserati Edition.

The Fiat 500C-based city car comes on the back of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, and is finished in Pontevecchio Bordeaux paint – a Maserati colour – with a grey fabric soft-top. The Maserati Edition also gets xenon headlamps and Maserati-inspired Neptune design 17-inch alloys.

There are 305mm, four-piston Brembo brakes, too, plus Koni shock absorbers. And the dual-mode exhaust opens up at more than 3,000rpm, with its burble coming from a pair of Maserati-style hexagonal exhaust tips.

Inside, the Maserati theme continues with sand beige leather upholstery and sand beige inserts on the black leather steering wheel, plus there are 695 logos on the headrests and on the matt-carbon lined dash. The trim inside the doors and in the rear has a UV-LUX treatment for a ‘grey flocking’ finish. Jaeger instruments, aluminum pedals and a nine-speaker 400W stereo complete the upgrades, while there’s also an exclusive Tramontano luggage set.

The 695 Maserati Edition is powered by a 177bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and has a five-speed Abarth Competizione automated manual gearbox with steering wheel paddles. It covers 0-62mph in less than seven seconds and hits a 140mph top speed, while it returns 43mpg economy and emits 151g/km of CO2.

Only 499 will be made, each individually numbered. The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition goes on sale at the end of 2012 for £32,000.

Abarth 695 Maserati Edition Special edition Maserati-inspired Abarth 500 announced for European showrooms

Abarth has revealed its new 695 Maserati Edition.

The Fiat 500C-based city car comes on the back of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, and is finished in Pontevecchio Bordeaux paint – a Maserati colour – with a grey fabric soft-top. The Maserati Edition also gets xenon headlamps and Maserati-inspired Neptune design 17-inch alloys.

There are 305mm, four-piston Brembo brakes, too, plus Koni shock absorbers. And the dual-mode exhaust opens up at more than 3,000rpm, with its burble coming from a pair of Maserati-style hexagonal exhaust tips.

Inside, the Maserati theme continues with sand beige leather upholstery and sand beige inserts on the black leather steering wheel, plus there are 695 logos on the headrests and on the matt-carbon lined dash. The trim inside the doors and in the rear has a UV-LUX treatment for a ‘grey flocking’ finish. Jaeger instruments, aluminum pedals and a nine-speaker 400W stereo complete the upgrades, while there’s also an exclusive Tramontano luggage set.

The 695 Maserati Edition is powered by a 177bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and has a five-speed Abarth Competizione automated manual gearbox with steering wheel paddles. It covers 0-62mph in less than seven seconds and hits a 140mph top speed, while it returns 43mpg economy and emits 151g/km of CO2.

Only 499 will be made, each individually numbered. The Abarth 695 Maserati Edition goes on sale at the end of 2012 for £32,000.

Lexus RX450h updated More equipment and a new F Sport model for Lexus 4×4

Lexus has updated its RX with a new look, fresh trim options and a performance flagship.

The facelift sees the RX get a sharper front end, with Lexus’ familiar spindle grille and LED daytime running lights, fitted as standard across the range.

In addition to the styling changes, the entry-level RX 450h SE now has perforated leather upholstery.

The Luxury trim level adds 19-inch alloy wheels and an upgraded audio system, with DAB and a DVD player. The flagship RX 450h Premier gets a head-up display and sunroof as standard.

For the first time, an F Sport model joins the range. It has a sportier front bumper, plus mesh upper and lower grilles with adaptive LED headlamps. A set of dark-finish 19-inch alloy wheels are fitted, while inside, the F Sport comes with a head-up display, leather upholstery, a unique sports steering wheel, sports pedals and black rooflining.

The F Sport also uses a new Lateral Damper System, first seen on the 
CT 200h hatch, which reduces body flex and vibrations.

Also standard across the range is a selectable Sport mode, which can be chosen via steering wheel-mounted buttons. It offers better throttle response and a less intrusive ESP setting.

The price for the entry-level RX 450h remains at £44,495, while Luxury starts at £48,495, the new F Sport £51,995 and the flagship Premier £55,495. The RX450h is on sale now.

Vote: Design Award 2012 We need your help to decide on the best-looking car of the last 12 months, ahead of the 2012 New Car Awards
Which do you think is the best-looking car of the last 12 months? Now is the time to have your say in the annual Auto Express Design Award.

We’ve compiled a shortlist of 15 of the most striking new concept cars and production models from the past year, and with just a few clicks of your mouse you can tell us which is your favourite.

The Jaguar C-X16 supercar concept combined classic sixties E-Type styling with cutting-edge details. Do you think it’s a beauty?

Or is the Emerg-E the car that’s put Infiniti on the map? Perhaps you prefer your cars to come in small packages, like the all-electric Renault ZOE?

The Saab PhoeniX coupe concept (pictured) scooped the award last year, with a massive 30 per cent of the votes, ahead of the Alfa Romeo 4C and Jaguar C-X75. But which car will get your vote this year?

You’ve got until 1 June to cast your vote, and the winner will be revealed at our New Car Awards ceremony later that month. Click here to cast your vote.

Chevrolet Volt lights up London Unique automotive artwork, depicting the Volt in UV paint, revealed in London
Automotive artist Ian Cook has revealed a unique piece of work in London – the world’s first image to be created under UV light using only remote controlled cars and old tyres.

The image is based on a night-time photograph of the Volt in London, and comes to life when it is shown under UV light, as it appears to rise from the background.

Twenty nine-year old Cook from Solihull, West Midlands, had to dip the remote controlled Camaro models he used in UV paint so they would be visible in the black light. 

“This is, quite simply, the hardest piece of work I’ve ever created. I was more or less creating it blind. The idea was to create an image that was as innovative and mould-breaking as the Chevrolet Volt itself, while at the same time keeping in mind its electric powertrain,” Cook said.

The image was completed during a three-day car art workshop at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) headquarters in London.

During the event, Cook also created a detailed image of his SpART – a Chevrolet Spark in unusual livery.

Cook has worked on a number of projects with Chevrolet since 2008, including images of the Beat concept car and Camaro Convertible at the London Motor Show.

Skoda Citigo Rally Skoda gives its Citigo hatchback a rally-inspired makeover for Worthersee
Skoda has revealed a rally-spec Citigo at the Worthersee tuning event in Austria, and we were there to see it make its debut.

Featuring a full roll-cage, stripped out interior with racing seat, racing wheel and digital dash display matched by a massive bodykit, the Citigo caused quite a stir at the VW Group event.

While parent company VW will go rallying with its Polo, Skoda has yet to confirm the Citigo’s competition debut.

The concept car features a 1.2-litre engine (up from the road car’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder) but the engine still doesn’t comply with any FIA approved category. 

But Skoda says that the body kit is not just for show – it will comply with technical regulations, which is the biggest hint yet that this is a serious competition car.

Skoda has a strong heritage in rallying, and competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge – a campaign run by Skoda UK – that it is currently leading. It would not enter the main WRC event, where 1.6-litre turbocharged engines are mandated, as this would steal some thunder from the VW Polo R WRC’s campaign.

Like the Polo, if the Citigo does become a competition car, it could spark a limited-run prodution model, in the same vein as the SEAT Mii FR which has also been revealed at Worthersee. The SEAT Mii shares the same chassis and engines as the road-going Citigo and VW up!.

VW Polo R concept VW Polo WRC Street concept revealed at Worthersee, previews 217bhp model that will make production

VW has confirmed that it will put the 217bhp Polo R WRC special edition, revealed at Worthersee, into production next year. According to the official press release the concept is “a preview of an extremely sporty small series, which is due to be launched in late 2013.”

The special edition hatch will be produced in limited numbers with its release to coincide with the VW Polo’s entry into the World Rally Championship.

The power output has been confirmed as 217bhp from a 2.0-litre TSI engine fitted with a supercharger and a turbocharger – that’s more even than the Golf GTI, but 49bhp short of the four-wheel drive Golf R.

Styling upgrades include a roof spoiler, a rear diffuser and a subtly enhanced bodykit. Sports suspension, bigger alloys and R-WRC badges finish off the package. 

VW also used the annual event in Worthersee to showcase two concepts. The first is the Golf GTI Black Dynamic that was put together by VW apprentices. It features lower ride, special wheels and has had the power if its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine boosted from the regular GTI’s 207bhp to 355bhp. It also has a powerful audio system, boasting 1800W.

With the theme of ‘Heaven and Hell’ for the show, the other concept is the Golf Concept White. While there no mechanical changes to the GTI-based show car, it’s finished in Onyx White matt paint and uses contrasting dark grey 19-inch alloy wheels first seen on the 2011 Edition 35. Inside, there’s Nappa leather with the seats featuring red centres with black surrounds.

VW also displayed a number of concepts, including the e-Bugster and the Caddy up! which was seen at Frankfurt in 2011.  

 

For an alternative review of the latest Volkswagen Polo visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

New Range Rover spied The new Range Rover is shedding its disguise, and we’ve got the best spy shots yet

The all-new Range Rover is losing its disguise and starting to take shape. These latest spy shots, taken near Land Rover’s HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire, give us our best look yet at the luxurious 4×4 before it’s officially revealed in September.

Gone is the heavy cladding we saw on earlier prototypes, replaced with black and white stickers to obscure the styling, but the shape is clear to see. The overall dimensions are similar to the current car, but look closer and the details are all new.

A slightly narrower three-bar grille dominated the upright front end, along with several new air intakes and LED daytime running lights. The clamshell bonnet is more rounded than before, while the shoulder line rises gently to the rear. At the back, an extended roof spoiler and split tailgate can be seen.

Extensive use of aluminium for the bodywork will make this Range Rover significantly lighter and therefore more fuel efficient than its 2,810kg predecessor, but it will be even more spacious inside. The £120,000 Range Rover Ultimate tested the water for moving the Range Rover even further upmarket – and its success means the new car will be slightly more expensive but more luxurious than ever, too.

Engine choices will include tweaked versions of the current 4.4 TDV8 and 5.0-litre supercharged V8, as well as the new 375bhp supercharged V6 engine from the F-Type.

When we spoke to Land Rover design boss Jerry McGovern at the Beijing Motor Show he told us: “Next-generation versions of the Freelander, Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will be far more recognisable as a family of vehicles.” So expect the Range Rover to set the tone for all new Land Rovers over the next few years.

For an alternative review of the latest Land Rover Range Rover visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Jaguar F-Type R spied Flagship roadster has been spotted testing, sporting four tailpipes and a 5.0-litre V8 engine

Our spies have caught the new Jaguar F-Type R for the first time, testing near the company’s HQ in Warwickshire.

When Jaguar first confirmed the F-Type for production at the New York Motor Show back in April, it released official photos of a camouflaged prototype. The images you see here are subtly different, hinting at a new engine under the bonnet.

We already know that the standard F-Type roadster will get a new supercharged V6, tuned to either 335bhp or 375bhp. But this flagship F-Type ‘R’ will be fitted with Jaguar’s supercharged 5.0-litre V8 used in the XJ Supersports, XFR and XKR, although expect it to be detuned to around 450bhp.

The external changes are limited to a set of quad exhausts (a classic ‘R’ design cue) replacing the standard V6 F-Type’s centrally mounted twin pipes. The bumpers and side skirts look the same on this prototype, but expect these to become more prominent when the production model arrives in September.