McLaren P1: radical F1-inspired supercar revealed

The McLaren P1 has been designed to be “the best driver’s car in the world on road and track”, says the Formula One team turned supercar builder. McLaren has unveiled its new road-going flagship ahead of its debut at the 2012 Paris motor show, the company’s first ever presence at such an event. The McLaren P1 is described as a design study, though much of the concept’s styling is expected to remain intact for the production version...

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BMW 3 Series and 5 Series diesels gain M Performance boost

BMW has announced the availability of an optional upgrade for its four-cylinder diesel engine to boost the performance of specific variants in the 1 Series, 3 Series and 5 Series model lines. Set to launch at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show, the BMW M Performance Power Kit brings a number of software and hardware upgrades to the 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted to the 120d, 320d and 520d variants. The...

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Porsche Boxster ad shows off roadsters old and new

If there was any downside to owning the new Porsche Boxster it would have to be that you’re restricted to fine days for open-air motoring. Porsche USA makes that point abundantly clear in a wonderful new commercial entitled ‘Porsche Boxster: Anticipation’, which shows the latest edition of the Boxster joined on track by a collection of celebrated Porsches including the 550 Spyder, 914 and Carrera GT after waiting out the...

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Ford Territory accelerator pedal recall affects police fleet

Ford Australia is recalling roughly 300 Ford Territory models employed by police forces nationwide due to an accelerator pedal issue. The 302 current-generation SZ Ford Territory models built between April 11, 2011 and May 24, 2012 fitted with Ford’s Police Equipment Pack are at risk of having their accelerator pedals interfered with by an incorrectly fitted driver’s side footwell trim panel. The official recall notice published...

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Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 GZ8 Editione Limitata for China only

Lamborghini has taken the wraps off the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 GZ8 Edizione Limitata, confirming that just eight will be sold exclusively in China. It’s the third such special edition Lamborghini Gallardo for China after the Gallardo HK20 and Gallardo Gold Edition. The ‘GZ’ stands for the city of Guangzhou while ’8′ is a lucky number in China and represents the total number of Gallardo GZ8s that will be produced. Lamborghini developed...

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2013 Mazda CX-9 unveiled: global debut in Australia

A new-look Mazda CX-9 has been revealed, with the Japanese brand announcing the redesigned seven-seater SUV will make its global debut at the 2012 Sydney motor show. The styling of the big SUV has been brought into line with the rest of the Mazda family and isn’t a new-generation model like the smaller Mazda CX-5 released earlier in 2012. Design changes are focused on the front and rear ends, with the headlights and...

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Mercedes-Benz B-Class goes all-electric for Paris

The battery-powered Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive will make its debut at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show, demonstrating Daimler’s continuing pursuit towards its ultimate objective of zero-emission driving. The company says the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is “almost ready for series production”, with a 2014 launch already planned. The concept car will be one of the first models to have ‘Electric Drive’ in its model...

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Volkswagen Up! priced from $13,990

The all-new Volkswagen Up! compact city car will be priced from just $13,990 when it goes on sale in Australia on October 6. The $13,990 before on-road costs price applies to the three-door variant of the sub-light Volkswagen Up!, while the identically equipped five-door model will cost $1000 more at $14,990 before on-roads. The sharp pricing means the pint-sized Up! will undercut the entry-level version of the brand’s larger...

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Suzuki S-Cross concept shows off its rear

Suzuki has released a second teaser image of the Suzuki S-Cross concept ahead of its world premiere at next week’s 2012 Paris motor show. The latest shadowy teaser image gives us a glimpse at the rear of the S-Cross concept, which Suzuki says showcases an all-new ‘Emotion x Quality x Aerodynamics’ design theme for the brand. The rear-end image follows a similar preview from August teasing the front-end, which...

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Land Rover Discovery 5 could lose half a tonne

The next-generation Land Rover Discovery 4WD could lose nearly half a tonne in weight, according to a company insider. The new ‘Disco’ is due in 2014 and will be third model to be constructed from aluminium following the just-unveiled fourth-generation Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport that will be released in 2013. Land Rover engineers managed to reduce the new Range Rover’s mass by a stunning 420kg for the entry-level TDV6 model. Yet...

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Lexus LF-CC concept previews 2013 IS sedan and coupe

The Lexus LF-CC concept has been unveiled to preview the Japanese luxury brand’s next-generation BMW 3 Series rival. Lexus has used the reveal of the two-door show car to confirm its intention to build a mid-sized luxury coupe to join the new IS250 and IS350 replacement that launches in 2013. The Lexus LF-CC – standing for Lexus Future Coupe Concept – is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain that the company says will also...

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Bentley appoints new design director ahead of SUV production

Bentley has named a new design director to take the German-owned British brand into the future with new models that include the controversial Bentley EXP 9F SUV. Luc Donckerwolke will take over from Dirk van Braeckel, who shifts within the Volkswagen Group to take up a new post with Volkswagen Group design, currently directed by Walter de Silva. Donckerwolke’s first priority is certain to be the Bentley SUV that polarised...

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Lamborghini Aventador LP900 by DMC

High-end German tuner DMC has applied its know-how to Sant’Agata Bolognese’s latest supercar to create the Lamborghini Aventador LP900. The “Molto Veloce” styling and performance kit marries a more aggressive visual appearance for the Lamborghini Avenatador with a number of mechanical modifications that claim to raise the power output from the standard 700PS (514kW) to an almighty 900PS (660kW). The redesigned front...

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2013 Honda CR-Z: fresh face for sporty hybrid

The fresh new face of the Honda CR-Z has been revealed online ahead of the updated sports hybrid’s international debut at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month. The preview image confirms the 2013 Honda CR-Z scores a revamped front-end with a honeycomb pattern grille and beefier fog lamp housings. Honda says the car’s revised cabin will benefit from aesthetic enhancements and added equipment. Both the petrol...

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Hyundai i30 three-door: sleek looks for new small hatch

The sporty new Hyundai i30 three-door hatch has been unveiled in Europe ahead of its international debut at the 2012 Paris motor show later this month. The three-door variant becomes the third body style in the second-generation Hyundai i30 range, joining the five-door hatch and the larger i30 Tourer wagon - although like the wagon, the three door isn’t headed our way, at least in the foreseeable future. Hyundai...

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Volkswagen Cross Caddy: compact MPV goes off-road

Volkswagen has released the first details and images of the new Volkswagen Cross Caddy ahead of its launch in Europe early in 2013. The Cross Caddy will join other off-road-themed Volkswagen ‘Cross’ models in Europe including the Polo, Golf and Touran nameplates. The beefed-up Caddy is based on the Volkswagen Caddy Edition 30 that launches at the Australian international motor show in Sydney next month. Sporting a tougher...

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Audi SQ5 exclusive concept to become limited edition reality

The Audi SQ5 TDI exclusive concept being readied for its unveiling at the 2012 Paris motor show in 10 days’ time will become a limited edition production model for the German car maker. Based on the Audi SQ5 TDI - Audi’s top Q5 variant and also the company’s first S model SUV and its first diesel-powered car – the Audi SQ5 exclusive will be produced in a limited 50-car production run giving owners legitimate rarity to match...

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Smart Forstars concept previews future design of Daimler city cars

The Smart Forstars concept can be a mobile cinema but it’s also a ‘coming soon’ preview of future models from the Daimler-backed city car brand. Smart says the car’s “silhouette offers a look at the company’s future design idiom”, confirming the concept offers a glimpse of what we can expect from the third-generation Fortwo and the return of the Forfour. Daimler is currently developing both models in conjunction with Renault-Nissan...

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