Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi

Sportage is easy to drive, cheap to buy and interesting to look at

It is well-judged in terms of its driveability, equipment levels, pricing and cabin usability

Could be best in class if not for loose body con ltrol, light steering and poor fuel consumption

The Sportage never feels like a particularly rapid machine

Rear visibility is poor, so First Editions get a rear camera

Only a 2.0-litre, turbodiesel now, but a 1.6 petrol and 1.7 turbo are coming in December

Kia’s cabin is a pleasant place to be

Front and rear legroom is very good

The big, conveniently shaped boot can hold up to 564 litres with the seats up

It’s clear that there has been cost saving inside the Sportage

Rear-view camera is located in the rear-view mirror

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi review

It's Kia's latest generation of Sportage, now available as a full 16-model range after being introduced by the 'First Edition', a 2.0 diesel-based variant that showed the new car's strengths but came fully loaded and well north of £20k.

Four engines are on offer; as well as the 2.0 oil-burner there are 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrols, and the new 1.7-litre turbodiesel tested here. Unlike its bigger black-nozzle brother, it's only available with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.

There are four trim levels for this powerplant. The base spec, 1, comes on 16in wheels but still offers air-con, Bluetooth, electric windows all round and LED daytime running lights that make the most of Peter Schreyer's sharp styling. Move up to 2 and you get 17in alloys, part-leather upholstery, reversing sensors and a panoramic glass roof.

If you want full leather then you'll need to choose 3, which also throws in heated front and rear seats, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control and 18in wheels. However, our test car came in '3 Sat-nav' spec, which has all the kit plus an integrated 7in navigation system in the dashboard.

The 1.7-litre turbodiesel, which has 114bhp and 192lb ft of torque, feels pretty comfortable with the Sportage's 1490kg kerb weight. There's a decent slug of twist from a little over 1000rpm, allowing you to make relaxed, rapid progress that's pretty refined once the motor’s warmed up. And if you do need to throw gears at it, the 'box is slick and precise.

Throwing the Sportage at corners is an exercise that brings few nasty surprises and little real pleasure. The steering is precise enough and not badly weighted, but it's not particularly communicative, and while body roll is reasonably well contained, it is present. The overall package is extremely competent, without ever becoming involving.

The cabin, meanwhile, is pretty roomy and airy (particularly so with the panoramic roof that’s standard on all but the base spec). There are a few hard plastics, particularly along the top of the doors, but it's at least as respectable as a Qashqai or a Kuga. Indeed, the flashes of piano black trim in the Sportage's functional dashboard look a bit more coherent than some of the 'brushed aluminium' plastics you'll find in Fords these days.

The ride is rather less satisfactory - or at least, it is when you're sitting on a top-spec model’s 18in wheels. It's not exactly crashy, but there's a fair amount of fidgeting that finds its way through to the cabin. We also tried a 1.6 petrol on 16-inchers and it was noticeably more comfortable.

We can see why you would. The Sportage's striking design makes it stand out from the glut of crossovers on the market, and its cabin and powertrain are on a par with anything around this price range, with the possible exception of Volkswagen's more tightly specced Tiguan.

Just remember to ask yourself some stern questions about your must-have toys before choosing your Sportage's trim level; we suspect the sweet spot - on price and ride comfort - is further down the range than this.

Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi 3 Sat-Nav

Price: £22,570; Top speed: 107mph; 0-62mph: 11.9sec; Economy: 52.3mpg; CO2: 143g/km; Kerb weight: 1490kg; Engine: 4 cyls, 1685cc, turbodiesel; Power: 114bhp at 4000rpm; Torque: 192lb ft at 1250-2750rpm; Gearbox: 6-spd manual

Land Rover Range Rover 4.4 TDV8

The Range Rover celebrated its 40th birthday this year, nine of which have been clocked up by the current iteration. Much has changed since our original road test of it in 2002, and with the latest ‘2011 model year’ updates to the interior and powertrain, we thought it worth revisiting.

The big news is a new 4.4-litre V8 diesel engine, which replaces the 3.6-litre TDV8 and promises a 15 per cent increase in power and 19 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. This is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed torque converter automatic, which retains both low and high ratios.

Land Rover continues to improve the Range Rover’s already sumptuous cabin. In 2010 it gained hi-tech multi-function TFT dials (similar to those now used in the Jaguar XJ) and, mindful of the chauffeuring needs of emerging markets, Land Rover added reclining rear seats.

After 40 years, the biggest threat facing the Range Rover comes not from a rival car, but from social acceptance and environmental pressures. Does a new engine go far enough to keep it relevant?

Mazda MX- 5 Superlight

Mazda plans to make much greater use of its Nagare design language on the lighter next-generation MX-5, due in 2012.

Mazda has been undergoing a ground-up rethink of its sports car strategy after concerns that the current MX-5 has become too heavy to stay true to the original car’s ethos.

See Autocar's rendering of the new Mazda MX-5

The new model is seen as ideal candidate for the Nagare design language, which is inspired by nature — in particular, wind and flowing water — and produced five highly rated concepts in 2006 and 2007.

Nagare will not feature on any future Mazda concept cars (the firm will reveal a new design direction in the autumn) but it will still make it on to the firm’s upcoming production cars, including the newly launched 5.

The decision to apply it to that car was hotly contested inside the firm, because many felt the tall, slab-sided MPV was unworthy of the treatment.

Employing Nagare’s side panel creases should prove a more straightforward process on the MX-5 sports car.

Read Autocar's first drive of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept

The original MX-5 had a target weight of 1000kg during development, and Mazda has set itself the same goal for the new model. It is still evaluating engine options, but it’s almost certain to be one of the first models to get the firm’s Sky-G range of petrol motors; 1.6 and 1.8-litre variants are under consideration.

The chosen powerplant will be mated to a six-speed manual as standard. Mazda’s forthcoming dual-clutch unit — due on the 3 next year — is likely to be an option.

The Subaru Concepts Reviews

Subaru is set to rethink its design strategy to appeal to a wider audience, design boss Osamu Namba has revealed.

The Japanese company is set to dump its frumpy image and get serious about making cars that appeal to an audience that is wider than a few hardcore fans.

See the pics of the Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept

Previously, Subaru has been regarded as an engineering-led company, with design taking a back seat.

Now, Subaru design boss Namba – who joined Subaru in 2008 – wants to bring the the brand to the masses with a unified design language.

"We want to broaden the appeal to make it accessible to more than a small, loyal crowd," he said. "We need to add a more contemporary element."

See the video of the Hybrid Tourer concept at the Tokyo motor show

Namba reckons that Subaru needs to react more rapidly to market trends and inject some flair into the styling.

"I don't want it to be just something serious and boring," he said. "A lot of people don't know that Subaru brand. If we can make styling more accessible, it will bring them in."

The recent Hybrid Tourer concept, designed by Namba, hinted at the possible future look of Subarus.

"We have to show the function through design with simple, clean lines," said Namba. "I want a very simple design that exhibits strength."

Subaru WRX STI Reviews

The first four door Impreza for three years

and it's not even an Impreza

Upgrades include engine and suspension alterations

These combine to make it a more rewarding driver's tool

The interior is just as bland as ever though

and boot space could be improved

The Impreza WRX STI Reviews

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Exterior

The Impreza WRX STI saloon is back after a three year absence,
It was unveiled at the New York motor show and is now on sale in Australia

It now has the option of an automatic gearbox

But it's a conventional five-speed torque converter

Power is the same with both transmissions at 292bhp


Subaru Impreza WRX STI Interior

The new car is more compliant than its predecessor over road ruts

The high performance brakes are as good as ever

Automatic changes are quite smooth, but manual ones are slow and blurry

The Peugeot 206 WRC

In 1999, Peugeot Sport unveiled the 206 WRC, and it competed for the first time in that year's World Rally Championship, with French tarmac veteran and long-time marque stalwart Gilles Panizzi narrowly failing, against a resurgent reigning champion in Mitsubishi's Tommi Mäkinen, to win the Rallye Sanremo. The car was soon a success, however, and won both the manufacturers' and drivers' championships in 2000, Peugeot's first such accolades since their withdrawal from the WRC after Group B was banned after the 1986 season, and achieved in the hands of Panizzi, Francois Delecour and Mäkinen's successor as drivers' world champion, Marcus Grönholm.

For 2001, Grönholm competed alongside two refugees of SEAT's exit from the championship at the end of 2000; compatriot Harri Rovanperä and the French 1994 world champion, Didier Auriol. Rovanperä and Auriol each contributed single wins, on Swedish Rally and Rally Catalunya respectively (the former to be a sole career win for the Finn, and the latter victory helped by assorted problems for the blisteringly quick debuting Citroën Xsara WRCs), before Auriol left the team at the end of the season. Grönholm, meanwhile, suffered sufficient reliability woes in the first half of the year such that he could manage no higher than fourth overall in the series, although Peugeot did fend off Ford, with a 1-2 result by the two Finns on the season-ending Rally of Great Britain to successfully defend the constructors' championship title.

In 2002, Grönholm – despite now being paired in the factory line-up with defending 2001 champion from Subaru, the Briton Richard Burns – led Peugeot to a repeat of the WRC title double aboard his 206 WRC. His dominance that year was compared to Michael Schumacher's dominance of Formula One. In summary, Peugeot won two drivers' championships, in 2000 and 2002, and three manufacturers' titles in a row between 2000 and 2002. However, by 2003 the 206 WRC was beginning to show its age and was less effective against the competition, notably the newer Xsara WRC and the Subaru Impreza WRC, so it was retired from competition at the end of the season, to be replaced with the 307 WRC, albeit, unlike its predecessor, based not on the production version's hatchback, but its coupé cabriolet body style.

The Peugeot 206 WRC was awarded the Autosport "Rally Car of the Year" in 2002, preceded by the Ford Focus WRC and followed by the Citroën Xsara WRC. Peugeot GB created a Peugeot 206 rally championship aimed at young drivers. The championship was created to help young drivers develop their careers. The cars were built by Vic Lee Racing and drivers such as Tom Boardman, Luke Pinder and Garry Jennings all drove in the championship.

Bugatti Veyron Special Versions

Pur Sang

Launched on 11 September 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show the "Pur Sang"^[20] (thoroughbred) is a limited run of five cars.^[21] They have high-gloss aluminium roadwheels with a diamond-cut finish and a clear body finish revealing the Veyron's aluminium-carbon fibre body, but are otherwise standard.

A Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès

Fbg Par Hermès

A Hermès-themed model: Hermès monogram on the front grille, roadwheels with a single H in the centre, and fuel filler door engraved with Bugatti Veyron Fbg Par Hermès. The interior is done in Hermès leather with internal door handles reminiscent of handles used on Hermès trunks - and a Hermès wallet and Hermès suitcase is included.^[22][23]

Sang Noir

A limited run of 15 cars^[24] with an all-black exterior colour palette and a bright orange interior.

Bleu Centenaire

A celebratory model unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.^[25] for the 100th anniversary of the Bugatti brand. The entire body is painted in a combination of matte and gloss "Bugatti Blue",^[26] the mid-section between the two wings on the hood is expanded, and a chrome strip up the middle added.

Grand Sport

A targa top version unveiled at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance^[27] on 15 August 2008, with production beginning in spring 2009. The model has extensive reinforcements to compensate for the lack of standard roof,^[28] and small changes to the windshield and running lights. There are two removable tops, the second a temporary roof fashioned after an umbrella. The top speed with the hardtop in place is the same as the standard coupé version, but with the roof down is limited to 369 km/h (229 mph)—and to 130 km/h (81 mph) with the temporary soft roof. The first (chassis 001) was sold at auction, raising approximately $900,000 for charity.^[29]

Grand Sport Sang Bleu

Blue carbon fibre with polished aluminium, rims inspired by the Grand Sport Roadster highlighted in a Midnight Blue and Diamond Cut two-tone finish.

Side view	Interior	Rear end	Front
Engine