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Auto news; News review – September Wraps come off British baby’s rugged big brother, while legendary VW gets ready to turn up the temperature…
As the world’s brightest boffins gathered in Geneva to fire up the doomed Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator, BMW was hoping its world first – a four-wheel-drive MINI – would prove more successful. We showed the first official pictures of the model, and confirmed earlier reports that the firm planned to give the Clubman a bigger, wackier-looking AWD brother.

While the Crossman had five doors, the layout was anything but conventional. In true MINI fashion, the concept featured a sliding rear door on the passenger side and a large one-piece, side-hinged tailgate. Bosses said if the arrangement could be made cost effective, it would be put into production.

But although the exterior looked ready for the showroom, the Crossman’s interior was more experimental. A dramatic ‘globe’ display took the place of the standard speedo, and this allowed two screens to be projected at the same time, so the driver and front passenger could see different views.

Hot hatch gets in shape (Issue 1,031)
THE MINI wasn’t the only automotive legend being tinkered with in September. In a surprise move, VW followed up the unveiling of the MkVI Golf with an early showing of the GTI version. We revealed how bosses were promising to make the newcomer the fastest and most desireable GTI ever, and aiming to build on the success enjoyed by its predecessor. The MkVI is due on British roads in the summer.

French hatch scores on style (Issue 1,028)
WHEN its all-new Mégane debuted in September, Renault proved it was ready to ditch its ‘big bottom’ design feature. But as the pictures clearly showed, stylists weren’t turning their backs on controversy. As our story revealed, the deep-dish bonnet and vast headlights gave the newcomer a dramatic appearance, while styling cues borrowed from the Laguna provided a more upmarket feel. The French giant went on to give the Mégane its first public airing at the Paris Motor Show, where it also revealed the look of the new three-door.

Bold new exec (Issue 1,030)
ONE week before the Paris Motor Show opened its doors, Mercedes revealed one of its prettiest concepts in recent years: the Fascination. Looking virtually production ready, the two-door was the star of the marque’s display in France, and gave the biggest hint yet to the shape of the next CLK. We reported that bosses were planning to ditch the familiar CLK badge in favour of CLE in an effort to align the newcomer more closely to the E-Class saloon on which it is based. The latter is expected to appear on UK roads late next year.

Audi’s new hot RS scooped (Issue 1,028)
another good month for fans of the Audi TT. In a year that had witnessed the arrival of a diesel version and a flagship TT S, we published spy shots that confirmed Audi was readying a TT RS. Engineers were spotted testing prototypes with a new 2.5-litre twin-turbocharged engine, and we reported that the projected power output was 350bhp – that’s 80bhp more than the TT S.

Reborn roadster put through its paces (Issue 1,028)
auto Express arranged for one of MG’s biggest fans to take the wheel of the reborn firm’s TF. Nearly three years after the gates to Longbridge shut, we returned with MG-mad Simon Robinson to try the first model to be built under the new owner. And after his drive, Simon gave it the thumbs-up, saying: “I’ll definitely order one – I’ll just have to negotiate with my girlfriend first…”

Renault Ondelios show-stopper (Issue 1,030)
Reviving memories of the ill-fated Avantime MPV coupé was the striking Renault Ondelios concept – a machine that would go on to be one of the star attractions at the Paris Motor Show. We reported that the vast newcomer was being used as a design test-bed for the next-generation Espace, and that top brass at the company were keen to gauge reaction to the car on the stands. Speaking before the Ondelios made its public debut, Renault’s design chief Patrick Le Quément said: “It’s a glimpse of what the automobile might be in the future.”

Scrap shock (Issue 1,028)
Rising scrap metal prices gave us an unusual story in August, with councils across the country reporting a sharp increase in roadside sign theft. Essex County Council, which had seen a number of signs disappear overnight, was hitting back with the introduction of up to 70,000 reinforced polyester versions that were worthless on the scrap market. The council also introduced hinged, anti-theft manhole covers.

Six-point rule (Issue 1,031)
our investigation revealed that the number of young drivers losing their licence had hit a record high, due to new legislation. DVLA figures showed nearly 1,200 newly qualified motorists were being banned every month – as they were picking up six points within their first two years of driving. The report also discovered that nearly half the drivers who were being disqualified do not resit their tests as required.

Legend is back (Issue 1,028)
IN August, we reported on Aston Martin plans to build its most exclusive supercar; a month later came news of the famous Lagonda badge’s comeback. Boss Ulrich Bez told us the new model – due to debut at Geneva in March – wouldn’t be a sports car, but a luxury saloon taking “elements from the past”.

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