Car news

All the latest car news, motoring stories, new model launches, industry analysis and photos from CAR magazine UK

  • Hot turbo engines for BMW’s 3-Series

    11 August 2006 by Angus Fitton

    Three new six-cylinder engines are joining the BMW 3-Series range. Top of the pile – until the V8 M3 arrives – is the 335d, which runs the twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel engine offered in the 5-series.

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  • McLaren genius joins supercar project

    11 August 2006 by Phil McNamara

    Gordon Murray – the engineer behind the 240mph McLaren F1 – is now working on a racer that could dethrone the F1 as the ultimate lightweight supercar. Murray has joined forces with former colleagues...

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  • Global GM chassis starts testing

    10 August 2006 by Phil McNamara

    General Motors' new Epsilon II chassis – to be employed around the world by Vauxhall/Opel, Saab, Chevrolet and other brands – has hit the road for testing. Pictured here beneath the next Chevrolet...

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  • BMW X5 (2006): first official pictures

    08 August 2006 by Phil McNamara

    The lowdown This is the face of the all-new X5, a car that redefines the sports SUV claims BMW. More power and performance, a slippery shape, a new chassis honed for dynamic driving and gadgets galore...

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  • BMW axes B-class rival

    07 August 2006 by Rowan Atkinson

    BMW has put on ice plans for a mini-MPV based on the 3-series, to rival the Mercedes B-class. Instead, it will focus on a bigger, Mercedes R-class challenger, due in 2009. 'Originally, we looked at...

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  • Mazda launches amazing MX-5 CC

    07 August 2006 by Rowan Atkinson

    Mazda is claiming the world's first no compromises coupe-convertible, with its MX-5 Roadster-coupe. Traditionally, folding tin-tops keep out thieves but steal luggage space. They boost refinement, but...

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  • Lotus wants Carlton successor

    07 August 2006 by Phil McNamara

    Lotus should engineer a new halo car like the legendary 176mph Carlton supersaloon, says the Norfolk firm's new boss. The 377bhp Lotus-Carlton was produced on Mike Kimberley's last watch as CEO, from...

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  • Audi S3 (2006): first official pictures

    01 August 2006 by Phil McNamara

    Audi S3

    The lowdown Here's the new benchmark for hot hatch acceleration: the 261bhp Audi S3 quattro. Up there with the most powerful hot hatches – the 261bhp BMW 130i and Volkswagen's 250bhp Golf R32 – the S3...

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  • Toyota ditches Corolla badge

    30 July 2006 by Phil McNamara

    The Corolla brand is going the same way as Oldsmobile, Jif and Marathon – to the knacker's yard. It may be the most venerable nameplate in motoring history, but Toyota is ditching the Corolla badge in...

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  • Land Rover’s green blitz

    30 July 2006 by Phil McNamara

    Land Rover is slapping a green tax on sales of its 4x4s, which will build up millions to be invested in global ecological schemes like wind farms and Indian cooking stoves that use renewable...

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  • Land Rover’s green blitz

    30 July 2006 by Phil McNamara

    Land Rover is slapping a green tax on sales of its 4x4s, which will build up millions to be invested in global ecological schemes like wind farms and Indian cooking stoves that use renewable...

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  • Seat’s super Cupra gets 237bhp

    30 July 2006 by Angus Fitton

    The lowdown Seat has pulled the wraps off its ultimate Leon, the 237bhp Cupra, which hits the UK in January 2007. Just one snag – it looks almost identical to the 200bhp Leon FR. Here's our 60-second...

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  • Dodge to gatecrash Fiesta party

    30 July 2006 by Phil McNamara

    American brand Dodge is plotting a small hatch to take on Ford's Fiesta, with sales likely in 2008. Chrysler Group is in talks with three potential partners, to share a chassis for the baby Dodge.

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  • Volvo C30 (2006): first official pictures

    25 July 2006 by Phil McNamara

    The lowdown This is the Volvo C30, a rakish three-door set to take on the BMW 1-series and Audi A3. Unconventionally, this hatchback only has four seats; conventionally, it mounts its engines across...

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  • Lotus revamps 2007 MG TF

    24 July 2006 by Phil McNamara

    The MG TF will be reborn at Longbridge in 2007 - and the roadster has been overhauled by the ride and handling experts at Lotus. Nanjing Automotive Corporation, the Chinese company that bought the...

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