Mercedes ML 63 AMG (2012)

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Mercedes ML 63 AMG (2012) first pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

14 November 2011 20:00

Mercedes is packing its M-class off-roader off to the gym to beef up to BMW's M division SUVs and Porsche's Cayenne Turbo. The result? The new ML63 AMG, unveiled today.

The new high-performance ML63 packs AMG's new 5.5-litre V8. They call it downsizing, but shrinking from 6.2 litres to 5.5 hardly compromises the outputs: the bi-turbo V8 cranks out 518bhp and 516lb ft.

So the new 2012 Merc ML63 AMG's another pointlessly fast monster 4x4?

Depending on your perspective! One man's go-faster SUV is another man's dream car, and all that.

If you like fast 4x4s, you'll love the ML63. It gets 15bhp and 52lb ft over the outgoing AMG'ed M. And if you spec the AMG Performance pack and its swollen 1.3 bar boost (up from 1.0), the outputs grow to 549bhp and 561lb ft. These are truly startling figures for a big, bluff 4x4 - these big luxury sports utility vehicles have a unique feel from behind the wheel when you stamp on the gas.

Ford Escape (2011)

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Ford Escape (2011) - first pictures of the new Kuga for Europe

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

16 November 2011 06:00

Ford is bringing its One Ford mantra to bear in the SUV sector for the first time - so this new Escape will in turn mutate into the next Ford Kuga for Europe.

We're expecting the new Kuga in late 2012, with UK sales slated for spring 2013.

Ford Escape: a mix of Vertrek and Kuga

The new Escape 4x4 has heavy overtones of the Vertrek concept car, yet Europeans will be familiar with the Kuga motifs at play.

US buyers apparently bemoaned the unavailability of Kuga style for Stateside motorists, so there's plenty of European influence on the new Escape.

Porsche Panamera GTS (2012)

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Porsche Panamera GTS (2012) first pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

16 November 2011 20:30

Porsche has ramped up an even hotter version of its Panamera ugly duckling at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.

The new 2011 Panamera GTS made its world debut at LA, and will arrive at UK dealerships in February 2012 costing a stout £90,409.

What makes the Panamera a GTS?

That'll be a 30 horsepower upgrade to the 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8, making a total of 424bhp and 384lb ft.

So the new Panamera GTS is blindingly fast for a big luxury saloon: 0-62mph is over in 4.5sec and top whack is 179mph.

Mind you, the GTS weighs in at a very chunky 1920kg. Which explains the 25.9mpg combined fuel economy and 256g/km of CO2 spewed out.

Jaguar XF and XFR facelift (2011)

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Jaguar XF and XFR facelift (2011) first official pictures

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

20 April 2011 20:30

This is the facelifted Jaguar XF and XFR, unveiled at the 2011 New York motor show.

Jaguar XF facelift: they've fixed the headlights at last!

Yes, the 2011 Jaguar XF has updated headlights, along with a larger grille, reprofiled bonnet and styling tweaks to the front bumper. Officially, the redesign brings the XF into line with the styling cues established by the new XJ in 2010. But for many Jaguar enthusiasts the facelifted nose finally brings the  front end to the production XF. Although we've adjusted to the XF's awkward headlight design since the 2007 launch, the 2011 XF's new visage is a major improvement over the original.

Jaguar XK facelift (2011)

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Jaguar XK facelift (2011) first official pictures

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

20 April 2011 20:30

Jaguar has announced 2012 revisions to the XK coupe and convertible - chiefly concerned with bringing it into line with the XKR-S.

2012 Jaguar XK: the lowdown

Changes on the XK are more subtle than the refreshed 2011 Jaguar XF, and share some elements with the range-topping XKR-S which was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva motor show.

Up front, the XK has completely new headlights. The new headlights are 15mm slimmer than the original XK units, and feature integrated LED running lights. They compliment a larger, chrome-framed oval grille with mesh insert. You can spot an XKR by its black mesh grille. Brake cooling ducts flank the oval grille.

In profile, you can see a new horizontal vent, replacing the vertically aligned vent in the pre-facelift car. The new vent bears a chrome blade engraved with 'Jaguar' script, and is designed to lend the XK a longer, lower appearance. What, you were expecting a rationalisation based on aerodynamics or engine bay cooling?

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Honda CR-Z Mugen (2011) more details

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

21 April 2011 09:30

This is our first glimpse under the bonnet of the new Honda CR-Z Mugen, as Mugen Euro reveals further details of how it’s going to turn the CR-Z into a hot hybrid hatch.

The promise? Nearly 200bhp and over 180lb ft, increases of around 50% over the standard Honda CR-Z hybrid. Should make for one of the most exciting hybrid sports cars yet.

Knowing Mugen’s speciality with high-revving, naturally aspirated engines, presumably the Honda CR-Z Mugen has a ridiculously tuned VTEC to produce that power?

Er, no. Mugen Euro is actually using a supercharger to deliver the extra power, and the internals of the 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine have been upgraded with bespoke componentry to serve up that substantial increase in output.

The CR-Z Mugen also keeps the CR-Z’s standard IMA integrated motor assist hybrid package, but Mugen Euro has developed its own electronic package to allow the newly upgraded electro-mechanical system to work in harmony.

Kia Soul facelift (2011)

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Kia Soul facelift (2011) first official pictures

By Sarah-Jayne Harrison

First Official Pictures

21 April 2011 16:00

Kia picked the 2011 New York auto show to real the facelifted Kia Soul. As well as packing some visual scrub-ups, there's a bit of new tech too.

The 2011 facelifted Kia Soul matches a six-speed manual transmission to a 1.6-litre direct-injection engine. In the capacity-obsessed US there's a 2.0-litre four-cylinder but we won't get that.

So what about the new Kia Soul's fuel economy figures?

The new 2011 Kia Soul is claimed to be around 10% more efficient, despite the 1.6 producing 138bhp - an 11% increase over the previous engine.

The US-spec 2.0 is similarly more powerful, mustering 160bhp. The cars in New York are available with hands-free infotainment system, heated front seats, leather seat trim, auto climate control, push button start and sat-nav.

And the design?

Externally the Soul expresses some subtle changes: there are the all-too-common LED daytime running lights, a redesigned bonnet and new front and rear bumpers.

The rear window appears slightly smaller where the lines have been drawn in tighter and higher toward the back, but that's about it on the outside.

Inside the Soul offers the same airy, boxy milieu. The dash remains uncluttered with a three-dial cluster, LCD illumination and floating centre stack. A full audio system has been installed to cater for the iPod or MP3 enthusiast, all controllable by the head unit and steering wheel controls.

The New Kia Soul is expected to go on UK sale in autumn 2011; no prices yet.