Mini MINI revealed

 Get ready for a MINI launch! The British firm has announced a daring new concept called the Rocketman – and it blasted off at the Geneva Motor Show. Boasting seats for four in a package not much bigger than the original Sixties model, it’s the mini MINI we’ve all been waiting for – and Auto Express was granted exclusive access to the newcomer before the expo.

At 3,419mm long and 1,907mm wide, the baby MINI is about 40cm longer and 50cm wider than the original

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorshows/geneva-motor-show/264556/mini_mini_revealed.html#ixzz1HKs0TtE5

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Mini MINI revealed
MINI Rocketman exclusively revealed to Auto Express, stars at Geneva and offers bold look in smaller package
MINI Rocketman
Auto Express Car Reviews
Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Pete Gibson
February 2011
Get ready for a MINI launch! The British firm has announced a daring new concept called the Rocketman – and it blasted off at the Geneva Motor Show.

    
Boasting seats for four in 
a package not much bigger 
than the original Sixties model, 
it’s the mini MINI we’ve all been waiting for
Boasting seats for four in a package not much bigger than the original Sixties model, it’s the mini MINI we’ve all been waiting for – and Auto Express was granted exclusive access to the newcomer before the expo.

At 3,419mm long and 1,907mm wide, the baby MINI is about 40cm longer and 50cm wider than the original.


The Rocketman borrows
technology from owner BMW’s forthcoming Megacity electric car, which uses a carbon fibre spaceframe to reduce weight – and rather than hide it, MINI has left it exposed around the grille and front apron.

At the rear, the hexagonal lines mirror the nose, and MINI’s famous ‘Coke-can’ exhaust pipe gets a central position in the bumper. The quirky, handle-style tail-lights project on to the bodywork, rather than face straight out, and incorporate
the brake and indicator lamps.

The trademark Union Jack roof makes a return as a full-length glass panel, using the car’s structural beams to create the diagonal and horizontal lines.

Getting in to the Rocketman isn’t as difficult as you might
think thanks to the double-hinged doors which allow for a wide opening.

Despite the cabin’s small dimensions, MINI claims it is spacious enough for four adults, and the seats can be arranged into three different layouts. As
a two-seater, the front chairs move as far back as needed, while the instrument cluster can also be moved.

Then there's a fourth chair in the rear, which is a temporary device that folds down out of a backpack attached to the rear seat. It’s a similar configuration to that in Toyota’s innovative iQ.

There's a
clever boot too. It consists of two parts, with the upper section
a traditional roof-hinged hatch and the bottom part a drawer.

There’s no official word 
on what sits under the bonnet
of the newcomer, but it’s likely that any production model will be powered by BMW’s
forthcoming three-cylinder
petrol and diesel engines. All MINI has said is that the Rocketman will be capable of 94mpg.

The best news of all is that
the firm is committed to making sure each of its concept cars goes into production – with the exception of the Beachcomber, which was unable to meet safety
regulations. So, the MINI we’ve all been waiting for is almost certain to reach showrooms in around five years time.

More about → Mini MINI revealed

Skoda's shock coupé revealed

From Yeti to sporty, Skoda is expanding again! Auto Express has unearthed plans for the firm to produce a three-door Scirocco-rivalling coupé called the Joyster.

The Golf-based newcomer will provide a low-cost alternative to Volkswagen’s sporty coupé, and could be coming sooner than you think. An insider confirmed the Joyster name, along with an expected launch towards the end of this year, and our images reveal how the new car could look.

Many of the design cues are from the original Joyster concept (right), which debuted at 2006’s Paris Motor Show – although this car was supermini-sized. These touches include blacked-out A-pillars, giving the illusion of a large, wraparound windscreen.

The Joyster’s sporty profile is reminiscent of its Scirocco cousin, and the rising waistline and sharply angled C-pillars complete a stylish design. At the rear, bold tail-lights run the width of the bootlid. Skoda’s design has evolved since the concept debuted, and the new car will get an updated family face to allow it to fit into the range.

That means the headlamps are now more shapely and a set of LED daytime running lights has been incorporated into the grille. Expect the engine line-up to mimic the Scirocco’s – so it will include 1.4-litre petrol turbos in 121bhp and 158bhp guises.

The diesel range will consist of 2.0-litre TDIs putting out 138bhp and 168bhp. Gearbox options will be either a six-speed manual or a seven-ratio DSG. A vRS model, similar to the car seen here, could follow in 2012, powered by a 2.0-litre petrol turbo. This is likely to deliver around 210bhp, and be able to cover 0-62mph in six seconds and go on to 155mph.

When it hits the road later this year, the Joyster will cost around £16,000 – undercutting the Scirocco by £3,000.

More about → Skoda's shock coupé revealed

Range Rover Evoque vs Porsche Cajun

With the news that Porsche has now confirmed that its new Cajun junior SUV will be built at its plant in Leipzig, we’ve lined up the German newcomer alongside its biggest rival, the new British-built Range Rover Evoque.

Range Rover Evoque

The Evoque hits showrooms this year, and is offered with a choice of two or four doors and two- or four-wheel drive. Like the Cajun, it represents the entry point for Land Rover’s luxury arm.

Those looks are revolutionary, too. Design boss Gerry McGovern describes its bulging arches and squat profile as “a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design language”.

It’s the marque’s cleanest car ever. In front-wheel-drive, 150bhp 2.2-litre ed4 diesel guise, the Evoque should return 60mpg and emit 135g/km of CO2. Other engine options include a more powerful 187bhp diesel and a new 240bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo – both 4WD only.

Prices are expected to start at around £30,000 for basic Pure models. However, buyers will be encouraged to select from a host of paint, trim and equipment options which should see the average price of an Evoque nudging £40k.

Pros

    * Stunning looks
    * Cleanest Range Rover yet
    * Luxury cabin

Cons

    * Getting carried away with the options
    * Waiting lists – it’s bound to be popular
    * Not one for the purists

Read our first ride along in the Range Rover Evoque.

Porsche Cajun

if you’re looking for something even more exclusive, Porsche has just the thing. The German firm is planning a baby brother to the Cayenne, and it will debut in concept form towards the end of the year before arriving in showrooms in late 2012.

Based on the Audi Q5, the Cajun will start at £40,000, but a range of options should ensure most variants cost nearer £50,000.

For the money, buyers will be rewarded with a driver-focused SUV designed with road driving in mind. In top 328bhp 3.0 TFSI V6 spec, the Cajun will cover 0-62mph in less than six seconds.

Like the Range Rover, the Porsche also gets adaptive dampers for top quality ride and handling. The Cajun will be four-wheel drive only and will come with the choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed PDK.

Pros

    * Likely to be great to drive
    * Bespoke cabin
    * Porsche badge

Cons

    * Not due until 2013
    * It’s an Audi Q5 underneath
    * Bound to be pricey

More about → Range Rover Evoque vs Porsche Cajun

Jaguar's new 1-Series rival exposed

Jaguar is hatching a bold new plan. It’s no secret that a raft of new and exciting big cat models is on the way – but the greatest surprise is yet to come.

The manufacturer has dropped its biggest hint yet that a premium hatchback, conceived to go head-to-head with the BMW 1-Series, Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 is on the way.

We’ve told you that Jaguar is currently working on a BMW 3-Series rival, a crossover, the F-Type two-seater roadster and a possible production version of the C-X75. But the news that a hatchback could be added to the list comes as a real shock.

It has been widely reported that Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director, has drawn up a wish-list, along with other bosses, for the firm’s future.

He said: “We won’t have a 1-Series-sized car for five to 10 years, but we’re working on some compelling alternative bodystyles that are anti-German luxury car establishment.”

Our exclusive images show how the smallest Jag could look. It’s some way away from production, and although the compact five-door body is a departure, the philosophy behind it sticks closely to the brand’s core values. Hallmark confirmed: “If we go into the smaller car market, we want to build elegant models with great technology that give a sense of occasion and position us above the competition.”

Power is likely to come from a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder engines – one petrol, one diesel – while the underpinnings will be borrowed from the Range Rover Evoque. But the car will be front-wheel-drive only, to cut weight, complexity and cost. Prices are expected to start at £20,000.

Before that, a revised XF and an XF estate are due later this year, while design work on the next generation XF and XK, set for 2014, is underway. There’s even talk of an XJ coupé, and a shooting brake based on the next XF.

One thing’s for sure: with new owner Tata’s backing, it’s going to be a busy few years for the brand.

More about → Jaguar's new 1-Series rival exposed

Range Rover Sport

Styling/Image
Despite being based on the same platform as the latest Land Rover Discovery, the Sport is unmistakably a Range Rover. Trademark design cues, such as the ‘floating’ roof panel and clamshell bonnet, combine with a lower windscreen and steeply angled tailgate. However, a raised ride height hints at the car’s considerable off-road ability. Buyers can choose from S, XS, SE, HSE and range-topping HST trims.

Interior/Practicality
There’s ample room for five on board the Sport, and all models come with electronically controlled air suspension, climate control and alloy wheels. The entry-level S gets cloth seats, while the rest of the line-up benefits from luxurious leather trim. Open the split tailgate and you’ll find a generous load bay that can be extended to 2,000-litres with the rear bench is folded flat. It can’t match the larger Range Rover top quality fixtures and fittings, but the comfortable cabin is still a great place to spend time.

Engines/Performance
Topping the engine line-up is the mighty supercharged 385bhp 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine, which propels the Sport from zero to 62mph in a scorching 7.6 seconds. But fuel consumption of 17.8mpg is the penalty for such high performance. Diesel fans have the choice of either 2.7-litre V6 or 3.6-litre V8 units, both of which are smooth and refined. The larger powerplant is our pick, as it will cover the standstill to 62mph benchmark in 9.2 seconds and return of 25.5mpg at the pumps.

Driving experience
Given its large size, the Sport is amazingly agile on twisting back roads. The steering is light, but the air suspension keeps body roll in check and the responsive six-speed automatic transmission serves-up smooth shifts. Only a slightly firm and fidgety ride lets the Range Rover down. The big Brit can still mix it in the mud, with the standard Terrain Response and Hill Descent Control providing the sort of off-road ability that the BMW X5 can only dream of.

Ownership Costs
Buy a Range Rover Sport and you should expect high running costs. Fuel consumption and emissions are a concern on all models -  the entry-level 2.7-litre V6 oil-burner will struggle to achieve 30mpg, while a CO2 output of 265g/km drops it into the top VED tax bracket. However, this powerplant has the strongest residuals, retaining around 40 percent of its value after three years.

Safety/Environment
Eight airbags and electronic stability control feature on all versions of the Sport. Adaptive cruise control and bi-xenon headlamps are also available. The Range Rover might be safe, but it's certainly not green. All models fall into the top VED tax band, with the 4.2-litre supercharged car pumping out an unhealthy 374g/km of CO2. Of small consolation is the fact that the factory draws some of its power from wind turbines and that Land Rover offsets the carbon foot print of its new cars for the first 45,000 miles.

More about → Range Rover Sport

Range Rover Evoque

It’s one of 2011’s most eagerly anticipated new cars. And while our first on-road experience of the Evoque may have been from the passenger seat, it was enough to convince us this model rewrites the 4x4 rulebook – much like the original Range Rover did in 1970.

With a supermini’s emissions, the Evoque is set to end Land Rover’s gas-guzzling reputation once and for all. Factor in stunning looks, handling closer to that of a sporty coupé than a 4x4, and all the ride comfort and sophistication you’d expect from a Range Rover, and bosses’ sales predictions of 100,000 units a year are already starting to look conservative.

Step inside, and the link between the normal Range Rover and the Evoque is clear, although the newcomer boasts a trendier look, while its dials and controls are scaled down to take into account the car’s smaller dimensions.

There’s no skimping on quality, though, because the sumptuous leather and brushed aluminium trim is first-rate – even on our test and development prototype model.

The 2.2-litre diesel unit is extremely quiet and refined – even at low speeds. And thanks to Land Rover’s latest stop-start system, it can return close to 50mpg. The six-speed automatic box is slick, too: you can either leave it to change gears itself, or override the shifts with the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Our drive was with Jaguar-Land Rover’s handling and ride guru, Mike Cross, who told us: “We wanted the Evoque to be more sporty, edgy and agile than other Range Rover models. We wanted it to push the boundaries for this type of vehicle.” It really shows, too: the way the car reacted to Cross’s measured steering inputs had to be seen to be believed.

It tackles corners with minimal body roll, and we weren’t surprised to learn that the Evoque had been benchmarked against the MINI Cooper and Audi TT for handling.

But engineers haven’t used rock-hard suspension to achieve this – the car retains the sophisticated ride of the larger Range Rover, so remains as comfortable as your favourite armchair.

We’ll have to wait to see if the Evoque shares its brother’s superb off-road capabilities, but as Land Rover has a proven record of delivering the best, we see no reason to doubt it.

After our ride on the roads of Wales, we are certain the Evoque will be a hit. The manufacturer already has a list of 100,000 potential customers – and after our experience, it’s clear they won’t be disappointed.

More about → Range Rover Evoque

First Drive: 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Nestled in a secluded valley in the south of Spain is the Ascari Race Resort. Celebrated as one of the world's most beautiful tracks, the private 3.2-mile ribbon of perfectly smooth blacktop challenges drivers with 26 corners, 10-degree climbs and 18-degree banks as it weaves through the mature oak trees that dot the landscape. Named after Alberto Ascari, the first double world Formula 1 champion, the well-manicured decade-old venue is the type of circuit enthusiasts fantasize about.

Our private shuttle takes us through the manned guard gate towards the main clubhouse. As we round the corner, and head down the shallow hill, the sun reflects off something in the distance. Parked in the paddock are a dozen glistening sports cars – some coupes, some roadsters – each still dripping wet from the overnight shower that leaves the air fresh and crisp. The vehicles, the latest offering from Aston Martin, are the enthusiast-targeted Vantage S Coupe and Roadster.

Nine times zones from home with jet lag extinguished by a morning café grande, I figure it is time to get behind the wheel. Only one thing is more enjoyable than driving the new Aston Martin Vantage S through the mountains of Spain – spending a long afternoon with the sports cars on the wide-open Ascari race circuit.

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Bertone shows off Jaguar B99 design sketches, still won't be built

Jaguar already made it clear that it's not interested in bringing the Bertone B99 Concept to life, but that hasn't stopped Bertone from unleashing a barrage of images and details related to its mid-sized concept. The firm says that the B99 sports a wheelbase of around 9.1 feet, and that the bodywork would be all hand-formed aluminum. Something tells us that little detail would get the boot if the B99 ever made it to the production line.

According to CarBodyDesign, Bertone specifically wanted to abandon the typical wedge shape predominate among sports sedans in favor of a three-volume look that places the headlights and the taillights on the same plane.

While the interior features an assortment of high-tech goodies, Bertone says that buyers could expect to find an extended-range hybrid system under the hood, complete with twin electric motors and a range-extending internal combustion engine good for a combined 570 horsepower.

Of course, Jaguar would first have to greenlight the project, which doesn't look to be happening. Ever.

More about → Bertone shows off Jaguar B99 design sketches, still won't be built

TV cars parade through London

A celebrity car convoy paraded through the capital last week, featuring some of the most famous cars from TV history.

The parade was organised by car sales website nectars.com, which polled the most popular TV cars of all time.

In the survey of 2,000 people nationwide, KITT, the talking supercar from 1980s TV series Knight Rider, came out on top.

The black Pontiac Trans Am, driven by Michael Knight, played by Britain's Got Talent judge David Hasselhoff, received 35 per cent of the nation's votes.

Del Boy's yellow Robin Reliant from Only Fools and Horses came in second with 21 per cent.

And third favourite TV car was the Batmobile, with 20 per cent of the vote.

The General Lee, from TV show The Dukes of Hazard, came fourth with 11 per cent.

Last but not least, the classic Jaguar mk2 from Inspector Morse claimed the fifth spot with 8 per cent of votes.

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