Posted: 3:34pm, 24 October 2007

Stop press! Easy-on-the-eye new Subaru shocker! It’s good looking and, although currently a concept, it’s likely to become a showroom reality. This is the Subaru Exiga – think of it as an XL size Legacy. It’s not an MPV, it’s a roomy estate car with a space-age cabin.

carmagazine.co.uk

The Tokyo motor show has long been known as a show that has something for everyone, from tiny three-cylinder city cars to supercars to buses. With a down market at home, this year’s show is no exception: Japanese automakers will show everything from cute little concepts to all-wheel-drive performance machines such as the Nissan GT-R.

Toyota’s stand will run the gamut from the i-REAL one-seater to the green 1/X flex-fuel plug-in hybrid. Another car, the RiN concept, is supposed to evoke nature with its grass-like carpet and green windows. Toyota will also show the 400-hp FT-HS hybrid sports concept and the Lexus LF-A sports coupe, both of which have been shown in the States before.

continue reading "Wide Variety: Japanese mix green with fun in Tokyo"

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Posted: 9:00am, 10 October 2007

Mark Walton’s S-Max vs. Caterham’s R400After Matt Neal finished setting lap times for all our performance cars we suggested he take out Matt Walton’s long-term Ford S-Max for a few laps. We bolted on the timing gear, and with Mark happily riding shotgun, off went the MPV. Above you can see how a decent family car compares to a proper trackday warrior. And click the links below for all the performance data from all our best performance cars of 2007

continue reading "Greatest performance car of 2007 - Ford S-Max vs R400"

Posted: 5:53pm, 9 October 2007

Renault Grand Modus: the lowdownLet’s not beat around the bush. The Renault Modus has not sold as well as its paymasters hoped. Hence this stretched version, designed to offer more space to broaden the appeal of this high-roof supermini cum mini-MPV.

That’s the backdrop to the Grand Modus, the stretched mini to partner the Grand versions of the Scenic and Espace. And Renault has repeated
continue reading "Renault Grand Modus"

Posted: 4.13pm, 26 September 2007

The Tepee? Has Peugeot hung out with Skoda for too long? Too many scout jokes for my liking!Yes, yes. Ignore the silly name, and you have another of the growing breed of vans being geared up for carrying bodies not builders. Ford has been doing it for years with the Transit, but Peugeot is now getting in on the act with the Expert Tepee.

Think of it as an MPV+. A people carrier for
continue reading "Peugeot Expert Tepee"

Posted: 9:55am, 14 September 2007

Why should I care about Lancia – or its revised Musa? Because Lancia is returning to the UK in autumn 2008 after what will be a 14-year absence. You might care a little less about the Fiat Idea-derived supermini-MPV Musa shown at Frankfurt – as it’s only a revised model and this version won’t be making its way to these shores. But a new version of the iconic rally-bred Delta definitely will.

continue reading "Lancia Musa and Delta plans"

Posted: 9:55am, 14 September 2007

Why should I care about Lancia – or its revised Musa? Because Lancia is returning to the UK in autumn 2008 after what will be a 14-year absence. You might care a little less about the Fiat Idea-derived supermini-MPV Musa shown at Frankfurt – as it’s only a revised model and this version won’t be making its way to these shores. But a new version of the iconic rally-bred Delta definitely will.

continue reading "Win WTCC tickets!"

Posted: 10.30am, 28 August 2007

The Dodge Journey. Don’t tell me… it’s the start of a new journey for the fledgling car maker?It certainly is. It’s apt that the newly independent Dodge, and sister brands Chrysler and Jeep, have only just broken from the shackles of the DaimlerChrysler partnership and their first new product is the Journey MPV/hatch.

It’s designed to replace the Voyager in the UK, which is being abandoned as Chrysler
continue reading "Dodge Journey"

Posted: 9.07am, 31 August 2007

Ah, a 4×4 that’s not actually that big, and can’t go off road?Pretty much got it in one. This is Kia’s mini 4×4, the production version of the Soul concept that appeared at the Detroit Motor Show in January. It’ll be in the mould of the Fiat Sedici/Suzuki SX4.

Although we’ve snapped it testing in the Californian desert, it isn’t slated to make its international debut until the Paris show in September 2008. Thus right-hand drive cars won’t appear on British shores before the start of 2009.

continue reading "Kia Soul"

The Journey is Dodge’s attempt at creating a global passenger vehicle through a combination of versatility and flexibility. The Journey is said to combine the practicality of a minivan, the capability of an SUV and the overall efficiency of a passenger car. Flexible seating and storage combinations include standard five-passenger seating with spacious cargo room and available 5+2 seating, for times when you’re required to lug additional passengers along.

continue reading "Dodge Journey set for 2007 Frankfurt reveal"