What to expect from the Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva motor show kicks off on Tuesday 4 March and Autocar will be there to bring you the best news and pictures of all the big reveals as they happen.

Among the new metal to be seen at the show will be show stars including the new Audi TT, Lamborghini Huracán and the turbocharged Ferrari California T.

Scroll down the list below and through the picture gallery to read more on the show stars, and let us know what you're looking forward to in the comments section.

Audi S1

Due to go on sale in the UK in March, the three and five-door Audi S1 models are priced at £24,900 and £25,630 respectively. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine which delivers 228bhp and 273lb ft of torque - some 24bhp less than the limited edition A1 quattro which inspired the S1.

Audi TT 

Destined to be one of the stars of this year's show, the new Audi TT was previewed earlier this year by the Allroad Shooting Brake concept. Underpinned by VW Group's MQB platform, the new TT will initially be powered by a range of 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrols and a 2.0-litre diesel. 

Audi RS4 Avant

Ingolstadt celebrates the RS2 with the launch of this limited-edition RS4 Avant. The Nogaro edition comes with new paint and minor exterior tweaks, while the interior receive new leather trim and badging. The same 4.2-litre V8 engine as the standard car powers the Nogaro, meaning 444bhp and a top speed of 174mph.

BMW 4-series GranCoupe

Attempting to appeal to younger buyers, the new 4-series Gran Coupé drops the conventional boot arrangement of the 6-series GranCoupe in favour of a five-door liftback arrangement. The Audi A5 rival will go on sale in June, priced from £29,420.

BMW X3 facelift

While the styling changes to BMW's mid-size SUV may be subtle, its mechanical upgrades aren't. The revised X3 comes with BMW's latest generation of turbodiesel engines, offering better fuel economy and more power than the outgoing car. The new X3 goes on sale in the UK in June with prices starting at £30,990.

BMW 2-series Active Tourer 

The first front-wheel drive BMW in the company's history makes its world debut in Geneva. The 2-series Active Tourer features a compact 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine option alongside its regular four-cylinder range. Prices are expected to start from around £23,000 when UK sales begin in September.

Citroen C4 Cactus

A possible game-changer for the family hatchback class, the C4 Cactus aims to offer simple, efficient motoring at a lower price than its rivals. That's why prices for the Cactus start at £13,000, with even a range-topping version costing only £18,000. While its styling may be cause for debate, Citroen's biggest accomplishment is to make the base car weigh 60kg less than the equivalent Ford Fiesta, at 965kg.

Ferrari California T

The replacement for the current California, Ferrari's new supercar is big news as it marks the return of the Italian manufacturer using turbochargers in its mainstream models. The updated California T comes with a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 552bhp. 

Hyundai Intrado

First previewed at the end of last year with a design sketch, the Intrado concept is likely to be based around a compact SUV with similar proportions to the Nissan Juke. It's expected to be offered with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, and will be used to explore new lightweight engineering methods.

Honda Civic Type R concept

Honda will preview the new Civic Type R with a concept car at Geneva, with the production version scheduled to launch early next year. Described as "a racing car for the road", the new Type R gets around 300bhp from its newly developed turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine. 

Jeep Cherokee

The fifth-generation Cherokee will go on sale in the UK this summer at a price of around £25,000. A rival to the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander, the Cherokee will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel in either 137bhp or 168bhp forms. A nine-speed automatic transmission will be standard.

Koenigsegg One:1

A challenger to the Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg's new hypercar features 1322bhp and can generate up to 600kg of downforce. An active chassis and an enormous rear wing should help the One:1 to reach a top speed which eclipses the 258mph record set by the Veyron.

Lamborghini Huracan

Lamborghini's replacement for the Gallardo, dubbed Huracan, has 600bhp on tap from its V10 engine. Named after the legendary fighting bulls of Spain, the Huracan will be offered with four-wheel drive only at launch, with a rear-wheel drive version arriving in 2015.

Land Rover Discovery XXV

Celebrating 25 years of the Discovery brand, the XXV special edition gets unique exterior trim and new 20-inch alloy wheels. It's expected to go on sale towards the end of this year at a price point of around £63,000.

McLaren 650S

McLaren's new supercar features styling from both its 12C and P1 siblings, and while it might use the same 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine as the 12C, its power has been increased to 641bhp. Expect it to be priced at around £20,000 more than the current 12C when sales begin.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class coupe

The replacement for the current CL, the new S-class coupe will go on sale in the UK in November with prices for the top-spec S500 model expected to start at £100,000. The car features a new tilting function, allowing it to lean into corners for greater comfort. Its muscular styling helps to seperate the S-class coupe from its saloon sibling.

Mercedes-Benz V-class 

Sales of the new Mercedes large MPV begin in March, with the eight-seat V-class replacing the older Viano. Designed to appeal to current R-class owners, the V-class features a luxurious cabin inspired by the latest S-class. UK buyers can choose from a range of body styles.

Nissan Juke facelift 

Scheduled to go on sale in the UK in June, Nissan will reveal its facelifted Juke to a Geneva audience first. Featuring new design elements taken from the Sport Sedan concept, the new Juke will get the option of using the Qasqai's new 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged DIG-T engine when it goes on sale, replacing the 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated unit currently offered on base models.

Peugeot 308 SW

Featuring 610 litres of boot space, enough to rival the Skoda Octavia estate, the Peugeot 308 SW estate goes on sale in the UK later in the spring following its Geneva debut. Engines are likely to mirror those of the 308 hatchback, including a frugal BlueHDi version with CO2 emissions of 85g/km.

Peugeot 108

The 108 aims to be one of the most efficient city cars available when it goes on sale in July. Helping it to do that will be a new range of three-cylinder engines, emitting as little as 88g/km of CO2 in some cases. The new 108 will be produced alongside its Toyota and Citroen counterparts in the Czech Republic.

Qoros 3 hatchback 

A sister car to the larger 3 saloon, Qoros's new hatchback is designed to appear youthful and sporty to buyers. The hatchback shares its wheelbase and interior with the saloon, as well as that car's range of 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated and turbocharged engines.

Quant e-Sportlimousine concept 

A new concept from Liechtenstein-based R&D firm nanoFlowcell AG aims to show the future of battery storage technology with its e-Sportlimousine concept. Measuring 5.25 metres long, the concept features an as-yet unspecified electric powertrain.

Renault Twingo

Renault is planning on re-inventing the city car with its new Twingo, whichy adopts a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout for its third generation. Featuring familiar Renault styling and supermini proportions, the new Twingo could also spawn Renaultsport and even Gordini performance versions later in its life cycle.

Skoda Vision C design concept 

The MQB platform-based Vision C is designed to show a more stylish Skoda model, and could provide inspiration for the next Octavia. The Czech manufacturer says the concept also shows the next evolution of its design language.

Skoda Octavia Scout 

Based on the regular Octavia estate, the new Scout features rugged styling and should also offer all-wheel drive. A range of one petrol and two diesel engines will power the model at launch, with those units likely to be chosen from the existing Octavia range. The Scout goes on sale this summer.

SsangYong XLV concept

The XLV previews a new B-segment compact SUV from SsangYong, with the Ford EcoSport rival scheduled to go on sale next year. The XLV features seating for seven, and is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine in conjunction with an electric motor. 

Vauxhall Astra VXR Extreme 

The fastest and most powerful Astra ever made gets its public debut in Geneva. Expected to offer around 300bhp, the VXR Extreme features race-inspired styling with plenty of aerodynamic bodywork, while the interior gets race seats and six-point harnesses.

Vauxhall Adam 1.0 litre 

Vauxhall's new 1.0-litre engine will first appear in the Adam supermini. Designed as a rival to Ford's EcoBoost engine, the new 12-valve unit will be offered in 89bhp and 113bhp power outputs. Vauxhall claims the engine can return as much as 62mpg with CO2 emissions of 99g/km in some forms.

Volvo estate concept 

The third in a series of concepts by the Volvo's design boss Thomas Ingenlath, the firm's latest concept is expected to take the form of an estate. The previous two models released in the design study were the Concept Coupe and Concept XC Coupe, with both giving thinly-veiled looks at new production cars including the next XC90.

Volkswagen Scirocco facelift

Subtle changes to its exterior, a more premium interior and a new range of four-cylinder engines headline the changes made by VW to its Scirocco. Alongside the standard car comes a new version of the Scirocco R, powered by a 276bhp version of Volkswagen’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine.

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Thanks to AUTOCAR

OFFICIAL - McLaren 650S now with better quality pictures and more info.

• Designed and developed to give the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement and excitement
• The McLaren 650S will offer the widest breadth of capabilities of any supercar
• Coupé and Spider, with electrically retractable hardtop, to be available from Spring 2014 launch
• Joins McLaren’s range of supercars above 12C, which continues on sale
• Uniquely enhanced active aerodynamics and ProActive Chassis Control systems optimise the capabilities and usability

McLaren Automotive will return to the International Geneva Motor Show this year with its fastest, most engaging, best equipped and most beautiful series-production supercar yet.

The McLaren 650S joins the range as an additional model alongside the 12C and sold-out McLaren P1™, and learns from both models as well as 50 years of competing in the highest levels of motorsport. Available as a fixed-head coupé or as a Spider, with a retractable folding hard top, the McLaren 650S promises to redefine the high performance supercar segment, and has been designed and developed to provide the ultimate in driver engagement on the road and on the race track.

The 650S badge designation refers to the power output – 650PS (641 bhp) – of the unique British-built McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine. ‘S’ stands for ‘Sport’, underlining the focus and developments made to handling, transmission, drivability and engagement.  Performance figures will be confirmed ahead of the Geneva Show but will improve on the already rapid 12C which continues on sale.  

The design is inspired by the McLaren P1™, previewing a new family design language. The front bumper gives the McLaren 650S a dramatic, yet clean appearance and sits below new LED headlamps which reflect a similar look to the McLaren P1™. The more integrated front splitter contributes to increased levels of downforce, giving a greater level of steering feeling and confidence to the driver on turn-in, while also adding to the agility and the car’s handling balance. Unique door blades behind the front wheels direct air from the trailing edges of the front splitter, further benefiting front-end grip and vehicle balance.

The aerodynamic performance of the McLaren 650S is as efficient as the 12C, boasting the same drag coefficient figure, yet the air is being worked harder and more efficiently as it flows over, and through, the functional bodywork. At 150 mph, downforce levels are increased by 24 percent.

‘As always with McLaren, the new design is there for good engineering reasons,' says McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt.  ‘The newly designed front bumper improves downforce and steering turn-in. The high speed handling balance is now even better. The LED lights use less power and last longer.'

Unique side intakes behind the dihedral doors feed large, efficiently packaged, radiators which help provide the cooling requirements of the mid-mounted, compact engine. A new design five-spoke lightweight forged ‘650S’ alloy wheel is unique to the model, and are fitted with Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyres to offer optimised roadholding, handling and driver feedback – the bespoke ‘MC1’ branded tyres have been developed alongside the McLaren 650S by McLaren technology partner Pirelli, and offer strong performance in normal road conditions and on track.

The McLaren 650S builds on experience from success on the track, and groundbreaking technologies fitted to other McLaren models. Active aerodynamics, which feature on both the 12C and McLaren P1™, have been further developed and honed to ensure the ultimate performance and ability for the McLaren 650S. The McLaren Airbrake, originally fitted to the 12C and 12C Spider and designed to offer optimised levels of downforce on the rear of the car, now operates with a greater level of functionality providing increased stability.  The newly developed system means the Airbrake deploys whenever the car senses extra downforce is advisable – rather than simply under braking or when manually operated in ‘Aero’ mode. Below the Airbrake, a distinctive rear three-piece bumper, similar to the GT3 racing version of the 12C, compliments the aerodynamic shaping of the McLaren 650S.

The pioneering ProActive Chassis Control (PCC) suspension system, developed by McLaren, has been further enhanced for the McLaren 650S. A feature of the system is the ability to adjust the ride and handling modes – Normal / Sport / Track – in isolation from the drivetrain, which gives complete freedom in terms of ride and handling. These settings, for both powertrain and suspension, have been recalibrated to improve driver engagement. The updates are especially noticeable in Sport mode.

‘McLaren is a fast moving company, continually striving for improvements and technical advantages. We are always seeking to innovate, to be the class leaders, to bring new technologies and thinking to market. That’s our Formula 1 heritage shining through,’ explains Mike Flewitt. ‘Everything we’ve learnt from the 12C and the McLaren P1™ has gone into the design and development of the McLaren 650S.’

The McLaren 650S is designed to be the best and most engaging driver’s car in its class, yet it is not a stripped out road racer. Ride comfort and refinement are to executive saloon standards. The McLaren 650S models are equipped with IRIS satellite navigation with Bluetooth telephony, DAB digital radio (SIRIUS satellite radio in North America), wireless tethering, audio streaming and voice control as standard, while also offering enhanced levels of optional specification than previously offered. Options include fixed-back carbon racing seats, based on the lightweight design found in the McLaren P1™, an electric steering column adjustment assisting ingress and egress, a rear parking camera and extended carbon fibre throughout the interior.

Land Rover celebrates 25 years of Discovery with the Limited Edition Discovery XXV

• Land Rover’s iconic family SUV celebrates a quarter of a century milestone
• XXV Special Edition commemorates 25 years of Discovery, offering distinctive visual style and premium interior combined with legendary capability
• Over one million Discovery models sold worldwide since launch in 1989

Land Rover has unveiled a new Discovery XXV Special Edition as a celebration of the 25th anniversary year of the original launch of its versatile family SUV.

First introduced in 1989, the Discovery revolutionised the 4x4 landscape. Its combination of contemporary design, spacious and user-friendly interiors, unflinching capability and extreme versatility made it an instant hit. With the release of each new generation, the Land Rover Discovery has cemented its position as the most capable, versatile SUV in the world.

Thanks to its formidable array of innovative and award-winning technologies, from Terrain Response® to Hill Descent Control, the Discovery is as comfortable taking on everyday journeys as it is tackling the world’s harshest terrain – as numerous intercontinental expeditions have proved. Over its 25 years it has been chosen as the explorer’s choice to take on challenges and adventures; Sir Ranulph Fiennes used an original Discovery in his exhibition to discover the Lost City of Ubar, while the Discovery 3 was used on the record holding London-Cape Town drive in 2013. Discovery models have also been used in Land Rover’s own famous G4 Challenge and Camel Trophy.

The XXV special edition is based on the existing HSE Luxury specification and has been built to commemorate 25 years of Land Rover’s iconic family SUV. The special edition vehicle has a unique interior colourway, distinctive external badging and a sophisticated and premium interior lined with Windsor leather.

Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Since its inception the Land Rover Discovery has been pivotal to the success of the brand and has now become an iconic design in its own right. Discovery has led the way in terms of innovation, featuring technologies such as Terrain Response, which made off-roading much more accessible. The Discovery XXV Special Edition is the ultimate in sophisticated versatility and a fitting tribute to the legendary status of this iconic Land Rover.”

Distinctive Exterior

Available in Causeway Grey, it features Narvik Black grille surrounds and mirror caps, and Dark Atlas features on the grille and fender vents. Silver full-length roof rails, body-coloured handles and a stainless steel bumper accessory tread plate complement the exterior.

Also featuring distinctive XXV badging on the front door and tailgate, the special edition is fitted with newly designed 20-inch five-split-spoke forged alloy wheels in a light polished-silver finish.

Sophisticated Interior

The XXV Special Edition builds on the Discovery’s HSE Luxury specification, to create a sophisticated and premium interior. Features such as the fascia, the instrument panel binnacle and door top rolls are generously lined with Windsor leather. The XXV will feature a unique interior colour way in Cirrus. Additional luxurious highlights include twist pile carpet mats and a leather-wrapped wooden steering wheel, while subtle XXV embossing throughout adds to the high-quality British workmanship of the XXV Special Edition.

SEAT Leon Cupra 265 ponies for just £265

• New 265 PS SEAT Leon SC Cupra available for just £265 per month on PCP deal
• More powerful Leon SC Cupra 280 from just £285 per month
• All Cupra PCP deals include £1,000 deposit contribution from SEAT
• 0% finance available when a 50% deposit is placed
• Cupra available to order now for first deliveries from 4 March 2014
• Leon Cupra 280 is the quickest, most powerful SEAT production car ever

In a staggeringly serendipitous meeting of finance and metric horsepower, the new SEAT Leon SC Cupra is available from just £265 per month, on a PCP finance scheme.

The 36-month deal includes a £1,000 deposit contribution from SEAT UK and interest at just 4.9%, making the new Leon Cupra as financially judicious as it is phenomenally fast.

The SEAT Leon SC Cupra boasts a 265 PS engine capable of propelling the car from zero to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds, pushing it on to a 155 mph top speed.

It’s stacked with kit too, with a standard equipment list that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, DAB radio, and Cupra-specific styling details including a perforated leather steering wheel, sports seats trimmed in Alcantara, and Cupra-branded sills.

The SC Cupra underpins a family of Cupra models that gives buyers a broad choice; the new Leon Cupra range offers two body styles (three-door SC and five-door hatchback), two transmissions (six-speed manual and DSG automatic) and two power outputs (265 PS and 280 PS).

The Leon Cupra 280 DSG is the quickest and most powerful series production car that SEAT has ever made, boasting a 5.7-second 0-62 mph sprint made possible by the combination of a 280 PS turbocharged engine and a twin-clutch DSG gearbox, shifting through the gears in milliseconds. In addition, the standard fit mechanical front axle differential in every version of the Cupra model helps ensure maximum traction at all times.

The Leon SC Cupra 280 DSG is also the most efficient of the range, with average fuel consumption homologated at 44.1 mpg, and CO2 at 149 g/km. Using the same PCP finance deal that bags an SC Cupra 265 PS for £265 per month, the 280 PS DSG model is just £305 per month.

All SEAT’s Leon PCP deals benefit from a £1,000 deposit contribution paid by SEAT UK. If a 50% deposit is placed on a Leon Hire Purchase deal (£1,000 of which is paid by SEAT UK), 0% APR finance is available on every car in the Leon range.

This finance deal also means that a Leon 2.0 TDI 184 PS – the most powerful diesel production car that SEAT has ever made – is available in SC form for just £199 per month. All deals are based on a 10,000 miles per annum contract.

Peugoet to have a packed stand at Geneva

• Premiere of all-new PEUGEOT 108 hatchback and TOP! Cabrio
• Premiere of all-new PEUGEOT 308 SW – a versatile estate car
• Premiere of all-new PureTech turbocharged petrol technology
• Premiere of all-new BlueHDi diesel engines        
• Geneva stand will feature 28 production vehicles and concept cars
• Including 2008 HYbrid Air and 308 R Concept

PEUGEOT will unveil two all-new models and two innovative engine technologies at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. They signal the start of the next phase in the revamp of the Brand’s entire range, which is already the youngest in its long history.

All-new PEUGEOT 108: a city car for the future

With the down-sizing trend showing no sign of slowing down, and customers’ desire for characterful city cars stronger than ever, PEUGEOT will unveil the all-new 108. A successor to the hugely popular 107 – which has sold 800,000 units worldwide – the car is set to bring a breath of fresh air to the A-segment. Accounting for around 10% of the European new car market, a strong product in the sector is vital.

At just 3.47 metres long and weighing from 840kg, the 108 is a compact and light urban runabout. Available as a three or five-door hatchback, it will also be launched as the 108 TOP! Cabrio version, with retractable fabric roof.

The car has a chic and classy design, with precise lines, technical headlamps and overhangs which are reduced to the minimum for exceptional dynamics.

Customers can choose from eight body colours, two of which are exclusive to the model, and there are three fabric roof shades for the 108 TOP! Cabrio. Two-tone schemes, interior themes and a wide range of personalisation options are all available.

The 108 is primarily a city car, however it is also a key part of PEUGEOT’s move upmarket, so buyers get a comfortable premium cabin. Features available include a seven-inch touch-screen, reversing camera, PEUGEOT Open and Go system (Keyless Entry and Starting), automatic air conditioning, heated electric mirrors and automatic lighting.

The newcomer will also appeal to the connected generation thanks to its innovative new Mirror Screen technology, which allows the driver to display and use their smartphone’s home page.

The 108 is also a very practical car, with a boot volume that is generous for the category. Customers will be able to choose from four power units, including 1.0-litre VTi 68bhp and 1.2-litre PureTech VTi 82bhp three-cylinder units. CO2 emissions are as low as 88g/km.

PEUGEOT 308 SW: the classy and spacious estate

From April, the PEUGEOT 308 range will be extended with a second body style – the SW, a versatile and practical estate car.

It builds on the success of the New 308 hatchback, which has already generated more than 46,000 orders across Europe. Taking nothing but its name from its predecessor, the new PEUGEOT 308 SW is a car which meets the fundamental requirements of buyers in the C-segment. It has a large boot volume including underfloor storage, a light and spacious cabin, a modular seating concept and exceptional practicality.

Thanks to the new EMP2 platform on which it’s built, the design team has reconciled its generous dimensions – which are among the best in the class – with a 140kg weight reduction compared to its predecessor.

Brightened by the huge 1.69 m2 glass roof, the refined and technical interior of the new PEUGEOT 308 SW features the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, as seen on the hatchback. Comprising a compact steering wheel, high level instrument panel, tall centre console and an innovative 9.7-inch touch-screen, it’s a genuinely unique cabin concept.

PEUGEOT PureTech: the future of low-capacity petrol engines

The 1.2-litre 110 and 130bhp PureTech e-THP three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines are modular and compact, clean and powerful, these engines blend efficiency and advanced technology. High pressure direct injection and a next-generation high-efficiency turbo provide exceptional driveability from the lowest engine speeds. These engines deliver the best low speed torque/maximum power in the market, with 95% available between 1,500 and 3,500rpm. The result is optimised operation in all circumstances. Against engines of equivalent power and driveability, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced by 21%.

PEUGEOT BlueHDi: advanced diesel engines

PEUGEOT is also unveiling its new BlueHDi diesel emissions technology, to appear on several versions of PEUGEOT 308, 308 SW and 508.  Uniquely associating Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and a particulate filter with additive, it allows NOx emissions from e-HDi engines to be reduced by up to 90%, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are optimised while still eliminating 99.9 % of particulates. The BlueHDi technology already comfortably meets the Euro 6 emissions standard and will be progressively introduced on all PEUGEOT’s diesel models.

Also on the PEUGEOT stand:

• PEUGEOT’s Geneva show stand will feature 28 production vehicles and concept cars. They will include the stunning RCZ R Sports Coupé, a motorsport-derived version of the popular two-seater that’s all new for 2014. Inspired by the Racing Cup track car and riding 10mm lower to the ground, the car is powered by a 1.6-litre THP turbocharged petrol engine developing 270bhp.
• PEUGEOT’s innovative HYbrid4 diesel technology has already attracted more than 36,000 customers across Europe. Models include the 3008 HYbrid4, 508HYbrid4 and 508 RXH. With a combined power of 200bhp from the 2.0-litre HDi engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor at the rear, the car has a choice of four modes and CO2 emissions from 85 g/km.  
• PEUGEOT’s HYbrid Air technology uses twin sources of power to obtain the best efficiency on the move. They are compressed air, gathered from the recovery of braking and deceleration energy, and PEUGEOT’s latest generation three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine. This innovative technology will be demonstrated at Geneva in a 2008 Crossover.
• The 308 R Concept is a performance prototype which takes the purity and stylistic identity of the production car and turns it up. With its lowered ride height, wider track and pronounced rear quarters, the car makes no secret of its sporting nature.
• Exactly 25 years after Ari Vatanen’s first victory in the famous Pikes Peak trial with his PEUGEOT 405 T16, the brand was back at the iconic American hill climb with the 208 T16 Pikes Peak. Last year driver Sébastien Loeb smashed the record for the 12.5mile climb, and the car will certainly be a draw for show visitors.

USA - Volvo launches ultimate S60/V60 Polestar supercars, only 120 coming to the US

The 2015 Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar have debuted in Chicago and will be available for the public to see starting this weekend. Get a good look as these models are ultra-limited. We've had a look around, sat inside, and are fast fans of Volvo's lookers. But there's more than meets the eye, as the 2015 V60 and S60 Polestar models are also the quickest production Volvos.

Powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder engine, both are capable of 345 horsepower, with exceptional low-end power. 0-60 mph time? The 2015 Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar require just 4.7 seconds, and to balance that power and speed, large 14.6-inch disc brakes and Brembo calipers are up front, and 11.8-inch disc brakes on the rear tires. To up performance and handling dynamics, Polestar stiffened the suspension, making the S60 and V60 more rigid. The cars ride on exclusive 20-inch wheels, utilize high-performance shock-absorbers, and feature a Haldex all-wheel drive system.

The Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar models come exclusively in Black Sapphire or Rebel Blue, which was the color of the models on the show floor and our personal favorite. The 2015 V60 Polestar sportswagon and S60 Polestar sedan will be available at Volvo dealerships starting in June, but will be ultra-limited with only 120 models making it to the U.S.

USA - ACEEE names 10 greenest cars in the US - Not one is a US brand

It must be pretty difficult to identify which vehicle is truly the most environmentally responsible. But one group accepted that challenge and identified ten of the "greenest" vehicles on the U.S. market for 2014.

The Smart ForTwo Electric Drive ranks first on the list, beating out the runner-up by two points. This all-electric vehicle produces just 74 horsepower but manages to achieve 122/93 mpg city/highway and has a low environmental impact.

Second on the list is the Toyota Prius C hybrid vehicle, which gets 53/46 mpg city/highway. The Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius, and Honda Civic Hybrid round out the top five "greenest" vehicles for 2014. The rest of the list is also dominated by alternative powertrain vehicles. The Lexus CT 200H, Toyota Prius Plug-In, Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Civic Natural Gas, and Honda Insight are next in the line.

The gas-powered version of the Smart ForTwo was ranked ninth while the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid took the tenth spot. On the other end of the spectrum, the "Meanest Vehicles for the Environment" this year, according to ACEEE, include the Ram 2500, the 10-mpg Bugatti Veyron, and the Ford E-150 Wagon FFV. The rankings are not just based on fuel economy. They also take into account the health-related impacts of pollution, global warming, and upstream emissions. Each vehicle gets a composite "Green Score" that determines their rankings.

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USA - Jeep Cherokee Not Recommended by Consumer Reports, Is the New Model Worth Buying?

Consumer Reports declined to recommend the 2014 Jeep Cherokee after the small crossover scored too low in testing. Describing the all-new model as "half-baked," the magazine came down hardest on the base engine version.

It commented that the 184-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine was neither fuel-efficient nor powerful. The "unrefined" and "clunky" all-new nine-speed transmission was also a point of contention with Consumer Reports. It described the overall ride as "jittery," but did manage to praise the Cherokee's quietness and advanced infotainment system.

"As a small SUV with serious off-road and towing capability, Jeep's small Cherokee could be a contender if ti weren't so underdeveloped and unrefined," the magazine wrote. "It just doesn't get the fundamentals right for everyday use." Overall, the Cherokee has received mixed reviews from critics. When we drove the Cherokee a few months ago, we were actually fairly impressed with its luxurious nature, reasonable fuel economy, and fun driving experience.

While the transmission can definitely use some fine-tuning, we came away satisfied with this vehicle. Despite all the feedback, the Cherokee is selling quite well. It has become one of Jeep's top-selling models in a short period of time, even beating out the Wrangler in many months. In a statement, Chrysler said, "On the whole, we're receiving very encouraging feedback on owner satisfaction and initial quality from the approximately 35,000 customers who bought a Cherokee in its first three months on the market." We will have to see if the Cherokee continues its positive momentum in the future.

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USA - 2013 sales of 15.6 million, BUT 22 million cars recalled, that's not good !!!!!!!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report showing vehicle recalls increased in 2013 from the previous year.

To put things in perspective, around 15.6 million new cars were sold in the U.S. in 2013. But a whopping 22 million vehicles were recalled that same year. The recalls spread over 632 different campaigns that were initiated either by the government based on consumer complaints or by the automakers themselves. Toyota tallied up the most recalls of any automaker last year, calling back almost 5.3 million cars.

Around 1.6 million of these resulted from two campaigns issued to fix spontaneously-deploying airbags. While many interpret these numbers as a sign of continued quality problems at Toyota, others view it as an effort by the company to better report potential errors than it has in the past. Chrysler Group scored the dubious honor of second place on the recall list, with 4.7 million recalls over 36 different campaigns.

 The most notorious of these was perhaps the recall of older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty models, a recall that Chrysler initially refused. But later Chrysler acquiesced to recalling 1.6 million of these cars due to concerns that an improper gas tank design may result in fires during rear-impact crashes. A host of other automakers made up the remainder of the list.

Honda and Acura came in third with 2.8 million recalls. Hyundai ranked fourth and Ford came in fifth. And despite its large size, General Motors came in ninth place with fewer recalls. Mercedes-Benz had the fewest recalls of any major automaker in the U.S.

However, NTHSA qualified its results by saying that the rankings "should not be interpreted as an indication of what NHTSA thinks of any particular manufacturer or its products."

"These tallies are not used to evaluate manufacturers or to evaluate which recalls the agency may need to investigate or monitor,” the agency’s report says. “There are a host of reasons why a manufacturer could have more or fewer recalls in a given year.” Some of these factors, the agency says, include the introduction of new technology or ways automakers measure risk. The agency also says that larger automakers tend to have more recalls than smaller manufacturers that make fewer vehicles.

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SCOOP 3 - McLaren 650 leaked online before Geneva debut

The upcoming McLaren 650S, a high-performance variant of the existing McLaren 12C, has leaked online ahead of the car's Geneva debut next month.

Previously, McLaren had confirmed to Autocar that the 650S would be a production model based on the current 12C. The company said that the car would feature myriad styling tweaks, including the nose design from the P1 - as confirmed in these leaked images.

Instead of the 616bhp offered by the 12C's 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, the new 650S is thought to feature - as the moniker suggests - a 650ps (641bhp) variant of the same engine.

Other upgrades are reputed to include improved aerodynamics, upgraded suspension, different brakes and adjustments to the car's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

McLaren had previously indicated that the new 650S would be tuned specifically to increase its driver engagement, which may be bought about by changes to the steering and transmission.

New options are claimed to include the carbonfibre seats from the P1, which would serve to help cut the new 650S' kerb weight fractionally.

Official pricing has yet to be confirmed, but further leaked documents suggest a price tag that's some £20,000 more than the current £176,000 12C.

McLaren also told Autocar that two version of the 650S would be offered, one with a distinctive carbonfibre styling package.

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SCOOP 2 - The 2014 facelifted versions of Volkswagen's Scirocco and Scirocco R coupes have been revealed

Volkswagen has given a sleek new look to its Scirocco and Scirocco R hatchback coupes. While visually, the new VW Scirocco may appear to be a classic case of a blink and you’ll miss it facelift, VW has also made revisions under the bonnet, with more powerful but more efficient engines now offered.

The updated model will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off on March 4. The unveiling will also mark 40 years since the original model was first revealed at Geneva back in 1974.

Designers have borrowed styling cues from the latest-generation VW Golf, carrying over the aero-optimised blades featuring integrated indicator lights, daytime running lights and fog lights sitting beneath the restyled headlights. If you opt the optional bi-xenon headlights, the daytime running lights are LEDs within the main headlights.

At the rear, changed are also minimal but all models now come with LED taillights, while the bumper has been reshaped. Also, like the Golf, the Volkswagen logo badge now doubles as boot release handle. New-look dials and an auxiliary instrument cluster above the centre console inside, complete the visual changes.  

 

The flagship Scirocco R benefits from similar cosmetic treatments, but features bespoke bumpers and a new alloy wheel design. Mechanically, the range-topper features one of six new tubocharged direct-injection engines. It's now fitted with a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 276bhp – up 15bhp on the old car.

Three other petrol and two diesel engines are offered across the range. The petrol lineup consists of a 123bhp 1.4-litre (up from 120bhp), a new 177bhp 2.0-litre and a 217bhp 2.0-litre TSI engine, which replaces the previous 207bhp motor. Diesel offerings come in the shape of a 148bhp or 181bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine. All come with a six-speed manual as standard, with selected models offered with a seven-speed DSG gearbox.  

Despite the increase in power across the range, VW Claims efficiency is also up by 19 per cent, with the engines returning between 68.9 and 34.9 mpg.

The refreshed Scirocco will be available to order in the UK from May, with first deliveries scheduled for September. Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s launch. 

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SCOOP 1 - 2016 FIAT 500, revealed interior and exterior.

Fiat will treat us to an all-new Fiat 500 in 2016 with enhanced technology and updated retro-themed styling

Fiat is preparing to follow in MINI’s footsteps by reinventing the famous Fiat 500 for a second time. An all-new model – revealed in our exclusive images – is due on sale in 2016.

While the cute retro styling will be given a subtle evolution, the interior will undergo a much more dramatic transformation, with a large central touchscreen to replace buttons.

To help boost the appeal of the 500 in the US – its biggest global market – the newcomer will be wider and longer than at present, which will improve interior space and stretch the proportions for a sportier profile.

Our images, based on inside information, show how larger oval headlights, framed by an LED ring, and oversized tail-lamps will emphasise the extra width, while rubbing strips give a tougher look.

According to our sources, the new 500’s design has been set in stone for a while now, but Fiat has been in no rush to replace the current car – introduced seven years ago – when sales are still going so well.

In 2013, the 500 was Europe’s top-selling city car, edging Fiat’s Panda into second place in the chart, with 160,015 finding homes. The VW up! and Vauxhall Adam trailed by 30,000 and 115,000 sales respectively.

The hi-tech new interior – shown in our detailed rendering – takes its inspiration from the 2004 Trepiuno concept. This is the car that previewed the modern 500, three years before it went on sale. As you can see, the only buttons are for the automated manual gearbox; all others will have their functionality integrated into a large central touchscreen.

The instrument cluster will also be replaced by a full TFT screen, so only the most relevant information is shown at any given time. But the new 500 won’t forget its roots – touches like the full-width colour dash insert retain that retro Italian flavour.

Unlike MINI, which plans to add a five-door hatchback to the new three-door later this year, Fiat will offer the new 500 as a three-door only. But as we reported in December, a larger five-door hatch with 500 styling cues will be introduced in 2015.

This new model will replace the Punto in the line-up, and will sit on a modified version of that car’s platform. It will line up alongside the 500, 500C, 500L, 500 MPW and imminent 500X crossover – as well as the Abarth 500 to form a seven-strong range.

Under the bonnet, the new 500 isn’t likely to stray far from the current car’s range, although all engines will get more power and extra efficiency. The 1.3-litre Multijet diesel’s CO2 emissions should dip below 90g/km, although the star of the show will still be the charismatic 0.9-litre two-cylinder TwinAir, offered in several outputs, up to 105bhp.

Fiat faces a big challenge to repeat the current 500’s success, though. It will help if it can keep the entry-level price around the £10,000 mark (that’s about £1,500 less than the cheapest Adam), but competition in this class is fierce.

The new Hyundai i10 has just gone on sale, while other talented rivals due this year include the new Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 108 plus the new Renault Twingo, which apes the Fiat 500's styling.

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