BBC TopGear Magazine awards the All-New Citroen C3 Supermini the Best Urbanite of the year.

New Citroën C3 has been awarded the title ‘Best Urbanite’ in BBC TopGear Magazine’s latest ‘Best Cars in the World’ issue, which is on sale now. The BBC TopGear judges were impressed by the model’s ‘fashionable’ looks and ‘calming’ interior that makes it perfect for city life.

New Citroën C3 has been honoured with the ‘Best Urbanite’ award in BBC TopGear Magazine’s ‘Best Cars in the World’ issue.

Commended for its striking appearance and personalisation options, New Citroën C3 won over the BBC TopGear Magazine judges thanks to its levels of comfort, advanced technologies and its ability to ‘pirouette’ in and out of tight urban spaces.

The fun, French supermini premieres the world’s first fully integrated HD dashcam, which is located just behind the rear-view mirror. 

ConnectedCAM Citroën™ enables the driver to safely take pictures, record videos and to share them instantly on social media channels, or to use the automatic video function to provide evidence in the event of an accident.

New Citroën C3 is the latest model to benefit from the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme. The visibly comfortable seats, the amount of light from the panoramic glass sunroof, the 7-inch touchscreen – which groups together all of the key vehicle functions – and the keyless entry and start system, all combine to emphasise a feeling of reassurance, comfort and well-being.

As well as offering an extensive and coherent range of personalisation options, and two-tone exterior colour schemes, the Airbump® panels are an instantly recognisable option.

New Citroën C3 is also fitted with a choice of efficient powertrains, offering both award-winning PureTech petrol engines and exceptionally economical BlueHDi diesel engines.

“The city is where we’re seen. So we want a car that dresses us well, and has some sense of place. This little Citroën is right for town. It’s modern – modish, even, in its details – but because of its simplicity and balanced proportions, it’s probably timeless too.” Paul Horrell, BBC Top Gear Magazine.

Chris Cheetham, Citroën UK’s Marketing Director, said: “We’re very proud that New Citroën C3 has been recognised with such a prestigious award. New C3 stands out in a competitive market as a visually striking model that combines comfort and practicality, making it the ideal choice for anyone living or working in the city.”

BAC and its single seater supercar has taken two prestigious awards, which goes to show how good the brad and car is.

• Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) had cause for celebration at the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) Awards on 10 November, securing two prestigious awards and seeing off high-profile competition
• BAC scooped the award for International Trade Award and the Logistics Excellence Award to cement its status as one of the most innovative and exciting businesses in the North
• The NAA Awards showcase the successes of vehicle manufacturers, supply chain companies and service providers in the region
• BAC is the British manufacturer behind the Mono – the world’s first single-seater, road-legal supercar

Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) landed two prestigious awards at the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) Awards on 10 November in Manchester, seeing off stiff competition from high-profile companies from the region.

BAC won the highly acclaimed International Trade Award as well as the Logistics Excellence Award to once again prove that it’s one of the most exciting and innovative businesses in the UK.

The International Trade Award goes to the brand that’s displayed overseas excellence and showcased the best of British abroad, and BAC was a worthy winner.

The Liverpool-based brand has exported its single-seater Mono supercar to 28 countries, including the likes of Qatar, Myanmar, Brazil and Taiwan, and broke plenty of new ground over the course of 2016.

Covering five continents is a truly impressive feat for a niche company like BAC, and NAA judges recognised the rationale and effectiveness of the company’s international trade strategy.

The Logistics Excellence Awarded was presented to the company that demonstrated all-round logistical success, innovation and, of course, excellence.

Logistics is at the heart of BAC’s business; 98 per cent of its supply chain is based in the UK and 45 per cent of its materials are sourced from around its home in the north-west of England.

BAC is proud of its British heritage and shows a great deal of commitment to the country by minimising its in-bound logistics footprint. Its outward logistics portfolio is equally impressive

BAC is no stranger to winning awards for its business prowess, having won the MIB Manufacturing Business of the Year and the Merseyside Innovation Award Overall Winner prizes back in 2014.

It’s reigned supreme at the NAA Awards before, too, landing the Innovation Award back in 2011 – a prize it was shortlisted for this year.

BAC co-founder and Director of Product Development Neill Briggs said: “To be recognised for our business achievements by the NAA is a real honour. We have a hugely talented team at BAC keeping us ticking and forever breaking new territories around the globe. We are extremely proud of our UK heritage and always strive for economic and environmental excellence in our production process.”

PARIS - Infiniti looks forward with the next gen Q50, VC-Turbo variable compression engine & QX Sport Inspiration concept.

• Global debut for VC-Turbo engine – the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine
• Design evolution for 2016 QX Sport Inspiration concept
• World debut for upgraded 2017 Q50 sports saloon

INFINITI is giving attendees of the 2016 Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l’Automobile) a glimpse into automotive future today (29 September 2016), with the reveal of ground-breaking new engine technology.

INFINITI’s new VC-Turbo (Variable Compression Turbo) is the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine. Promising to be one of the most advanced internal combustion engines ever created, VC-Turbo technology combines the power of a high-performance 2.0-litre turbo gasoline engine with the torque and efficiency of an advanced diesel powertrain – without the equivalent emissions.

Roland Krueger, President of INFINITI Motor Company, commented: “The pioneering new VC-Turbo powertrain represents a leap forward for engine development. Vehicle engineers believe the breakthrough in internal combustion technology would come from mastering the variable compression ratio.  INFINITI will be the first to bring this technology to the market in 2018. This new generation of powertrains will help our global growth and expansion of the INFINITI product portfolio.”

Making its European debut in Paris is the INFINITI QX Sport Inspiration Concept, laying down markers for the design of future INFINITI QX models. 

The daring new concept has received some design upgrades since its global reveal at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2016, and explores the brand’s vision for a next-generation, mid-size premium SUV.

They are joined in Paris by the updated Q50 sports saloon, refreshed for 2017 with new design features and INFINITI’s InTouch in-car technology.

VC-Turbo: The first production-ready variable compression engine

Transforming on demand, INFINITI’s VC-Turbo technology uses an advanced multi-link system to seamlessly raise or lower the reach of the pistons, detecting the car’s driving condition and driver inputs, and instantly selecting the most suitable compression ratio. The engine is able to offer any compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency).

With a development target power output of approximately 200 kW (268 hp / 272 ps) and 390 Nm torque, the VC-Turbo engine will be comparable to certain six-cylinder gasoline powertrains for performance, while significantly outperforming them in efficiency.

The four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine achieves lower levels of noise and vibration than conventional internal combustion engines, particularly diesel, and is lighter and more compact than V6 units with comparable power outputs.

INFINITI’s VC-Turbo technology marks a significant leap forward for the internal combustion engine, joining other renowned powertrain innovations such as liquid-cooling, fuel injection, catalytic convertors, and turbocharging. The arrival of the variable compression ratio engine will establish new benchmarks – for power, efficiency and emissions – against which future powertrains will be measured.

QX Sport Inspiration: the evolution of a concept

Revealed for the first time at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, the INFINITI QX Sport Inspiration is an elegant and powerful expression of progressive SUV design, and explores the company’s vision for a next-generation, premium mid-size SUV.

INFINITI’s progressive outlook is evident in the QX Sport Inspiration’s elegant yet powerfully proportioned exterior, with upgrades to the Paris show car adding to this confident look. The exterior colour changes to matt grey, while wheels are made larger, now at 22 inches in a striking bronze colour with matching brake calipers.

Flowing lines and advanced craftsmanship characterise the spacious and beautifully appointed interior, which gains kick plate lighting at the base of every door. The interior’s colour palette – predominantly black and white with flashes of the hide’s natural tan colour – is enhanced with sections added in brown leather.

2017 Q50: a premium sports saloon delivering an empowering drive

INFINITI’s continued global sales momentum has been underpinned by the Q50 sports saloon, which has received a range of upgrades for 2017 and is revealed in Paris for the first time globally.

The 2017 Q50 will be available with a new Designer Pack, which includes: new Graphite or Java Brown colours for the semi-aniline leather cabin upholstery, a new open-pore dark wood veneer, dark chrome trim and a black roof lining. Buyers can specify a new Bose® Performance Series sound system, which features 13 speakers, an all-new electronic architecture and high-performance components.

For selected markets, INFINITI has equipped the 2017 Q50 with a new Telematic Control Unit, allowing the owner to control elements of their car remotely via INFINITI’s InTouch Services smartphone app, for greater security and convenience. New features include remote engine start, car locator, and stolen vehicle tracking.

The 2017 Q50 goes on sale in selected markets later this year.

Acura will send an EV Based NSX inspired Concept to take on Pikes Peak, the world famous hill climb.

• Vehicle Features World’s First All-Electric, 4-Motor SH-AWD® Powertrain

Acura will campaign an all-electric, NSX-inspired EV Concept in the Electric Modified Class at the 2016 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. 

The Acura EV Concept features a further evolution of the experimental, all-electric, 4-motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) powertrain that won last year's Pikes Peak Challenge Exhibition class.

The supercar-inspired Acura EV Concept will be driven by Tetsuya Yamano, who campaigned last year's CR-Z-based electric prototype. 

The Acura EV Concept is the ultimate embodiment of the all-wheel-drive Electric SH-AWD powertrain featuring a world's first technology that enables four-wheel independent torque allocation. 

The Acura EV Concept's Electric SH-AWD powertrain produces three times the total system output of last year's electric prototype and is mated to the NSX body.

"We've been tuning the car for several weeks at Pikes and have advanced its performance significantly," said Tetsuya Yamano. "We're honored to be running at Pikes in this historical, anniversary year – an event respected by racing fans all over the world."

4-Motor Development

Honda R&D has been developing "super handling" technology for more than 20 years in the pursuit of ideal vehicle handling. By applying separate Twin Motor Units (TMUs), the brains of Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, on each axle, 

Acura has achieved independent torque distribution to all four corners – true four-wheel torque vectoring. Based upon the learnings from last year's race, the team updated the system management of the powertrain for more precise thrust at each wheel.

Acura's unique Sport Hybrid SH-AWD technology utilizes the highly responsive acceleration characteristics and regeneration capability of electric motors to further advance the torque vectoring systems currently applied to NSX, and available on RLX and the upcoming 2017 MDX. 

The system enables ideal handling characteristics in various driving situations by coordinating and managing all dynamic systems, including Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD.

With its high-output electric motors and 4-motor torque vectoring, the Concept is well suited to the demands of the 156 complex corners the driver will encounter on the drive up Pikes Peak.

The world’s-first automotive integration of Tile Bluetooth tracking device with Land Rover InControl™ apps

• The world’s-first automotive integration of Tile Bluetooth tracking device with Land Rover InControl™ apps
• Smart app ensures customers never leave important day-to-day items behind
• Tile integration links to new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and can even direct owners to missing or lost items
• Updated Discovery Sport on sale now in the UK priced from £31,095

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport is the car that never forgets thanks to the world-first integration of Tile’s advanced tracking app. The premium compact SUV is the first vehicle to incorporate the pioneering technology in addition to enhanced new design, convenience and safety features.

The rush to work or the school run can often result in important items being left behind, but the new Discovery Sport is designed to make forgotten wallets and missing bags a thing of the past. The app uses Tile tags, tiny Bluetooth trackers that can be attached to important items and used to track their whereabouts using smartphone technology.

With the average person spending 15 minutes a day searching for lost items*, the unique in-vehicle app promises to put an end to this wasted time. Once the app is initiated using the central touchscreen, customers are alerted if specified items are not inside the vehicle and are even able to get on-screen directions to their last known location.

Peter Virk, Jaguar Land Rover’s Director of Connected Technologies & Apps, said,  “Losing your wallet or leaving your child’s sports kit behind isn’t just an inconvenience. The realisation you’ve mislaid something important can be a cause of distraction. Our unique partnership with Tile means customers can check the status of tagged items using Discovery Sport’s touchscreen, so forgotten items will be a thing of the past.”

Jaguar Land Rover is the first automotive company to integrate Tile with its in-car entertainment system. The partnership allows customers to establish a list of ‘Essentials’ using the vehicle touchscreen, which are always checked when the app is initiated. If items are lost inside the vehicle, customers are able to sound a 90-decibel alarm on the Tile tag, to help locate them.

Mike Farley, CEO of Tile, said, “We’re really excited to be partnering with Jaguar Land Rover. We believe this integration will provide many benefits such as improved assurance and peace of mind about the whereabouts of essential items, helping drivers save time before they embark on journeys. Having increased the number of Tiles in circulation from two million to over five million in the last six months alone, we are confident of the extensive advantages this will bring to Jaguar Land Rover customers globally.”

The Tile smartphone app is compatible with both Android and Apple platforms and the number of items that can be tracked is limitless.

Premium Design Enhancements

New for the 2017 Discovery Sport is a Graphite Pack which comprises a Dark Atlas colour finish to the grille, bonnet script and side vents, a Corris Grey contrast roof and Narvik Black mirror caps. The Graphite Pack is available as an option on SE and SE Tech derivatives and includes a new 19-inch wheel option.

Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, said: “Our customers want their vehicles to stand out and expect a wide range of personalisation options. With its polished finishes the additional Graphite Pack gives our compact SUV a uniquely distinctive appearance”.

New 2017 Discovery Sport is also available in four new body colours: Silicon Silver, Farallon Black, Carpathian Grey and Aruba metallic finishes. The premium compact SUV is manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s award-winning Halewood plant in the UK and is on sale now with prices starting from £31,095.

Cutting-Edge Convenience Technology

Jaguar Land Rover’s updated InControl Touch Pro infotainment system is at the heart of the technological additions. The new set-up provides a larger 10.2-inch touchscreen and intuitive menus, replicating the look and feel of smartphone apps and allowing users to swipe and pinch, just as they would on a tablet.

The screen does not require any ‘hard’ buttons and provides a super-wide 21:9 format with higher resolution than the standard 8-inch touchscreen. In addition, the increased pixel-count provides superior clarity when using the dual-screen option, ensuring neither driver nor passenger sacrifices screen quality.

InControl Touch Pro’s state-of-the art capability is delivered through a combination of a super-fast access 60GB Solid State Drive (SSD), which is around 100 per cent faster than a typical hard disc drive (HDD) and is the first automotive use of Intel’s high-performance Quad-Core computing and graphics processor.

Advanced Safety Systems

Complementing the enhanced design, convenience and technology features fitted to the 2017 Discovery Sport is a trio of new safety systems.

Driver Condition Monitor alerts the driver via visual and audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness. The vehicle algorithm, which continuously monitors driver inputs looking for signs of fatigue, helps to ensure safe driving.

Intelligent Speed Limiter helps drivers to keep to the speed limit. The system takes advantage of the Traffic Sign Recognition feature to detect changes to the prevailing limit. When a change occurs, the driver is prompted to accept the new maximum speed limit. Once accepted the vehicle will automatically begin to slow the vehicle to the required speed.

Lane Keep Assist uses the forward-facing camera on the vehicle to detect lane markings. If the driver begins to veer out of their lane without indicating, the vehicle will gently counter-steer to ensure it does not leave its lane unintentionally.

The updated Discovery Sport is available to order now in the UK from £31,095 on the road.