VW BlueSport at Detroit

VW's stunning two-seater roadster has broken cover ahead of its debut in Detroit.

The Boxster has got a fight on its hands! Ahead of its debut in Detroit this week, these are the first official images of VW’s baby sports car designed to offer a cut-price alternative to Porsche’s finest - and a more upmarket option to the MX-5.

Called the Concept BlueSport, it’s the car that proves sportiness can go hand-in-hand with economy - combining the agility and pace of a mid-engined roadster, with the fuel-consumption and affordability of a more family-orientated model.

Performance fans won’t be left wanting with a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 140mph, while running costs should be uncharacteristically low thanks to a combined fuel economy of 42mpg and supermini CO2 emissions of just 113g/km.

At the heart of the BlueSport are two efficiency-boosting technologies, an automatic stop-start function, similar to the system appearing across the BlueMotion range later this year and regenerative braking, like the KERS technology set to be employed by 2009 F1 cars.

Following in the footsteps of the Audi TT TDI, the world’s first diesel sports car, the BlueSport uses an oil-burner under the bonnet. It’s the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, producing 178bhp and 350Nm of torque mated to the six-speed version of VW’s slick-shifting DSG ‘box. And with all that torque being channelled through the rear wheels, genuine sports car thrills are guaranteed.

Tipping the scales at a slimline 1,200kg, the BlueSport has been subject to a number of weight-saving measures. Most significant is the manually operated fabric roof, doing away with the need for heavy motors and hydraulics.

Compact dimensions mean it’s shorter, lower but almost as wide as a MKVI Golf, creating a squat, muscular stance, and aiding stability in the bends. Despite short overhangs and a rear-mounted engine dictated by its all-new platform, VW insists the two storage areas, one at the front and one in the back, are roomy enough for a pair of weekend bags.

If the face seems familiar, that’s because it continues the design language first implemented on the new Scirocco, MKVI Golf and UP! concept. The sleek headlights, narrow radiator grille and prominent badge are unmistakably VW.

At the rear, the LED taillights are sculpted to mimic the headlights, giving the car a front-rear symmetry much like the Boxster. A third brake light is integrated into the boot lid, just above the badge, while the blacked-out diffuser with the twin tailpipes located at it’s outer-edges help to emphasise the car’s width.

But it’s in profile that the car really makes its presence felt. Cavernous side vents give away the car’s mid-engine layout, while exaggerated wheel-arches filled with ten-spoke 19-inch alloys, bulge out of the bodywork.

Inside the high-quality cabin an enormous touchscreen interface takes pride of place. There’s also lightweight sports seats clad in VW’s trademark ribbed leather, with integrated roll-hoops behind the headrests and heating controls that glow blue or red depending on the desired temperature.

VW hasn’t confirmed the roadster will make into production yet, but judging by the production-ready appearance, as well as the growing interest in small fuel-efficient sports cars, and it’s not a question of if, but when its available to buy. Expect both TSI and TDI versions to be offered when it makes it to showrooms in 2010, with prices starting from around £22,500.

Jaguar XFR at Detroit

Most powerful Jaguar saloon ever wows the Detroit crowds.

Detroit is home to the brawny American V8, but the Brits muscled in on this year’s show with a V8 bruiser of their own! The long awaited Jaguar XFR, the firm’s most powerful saloon car ever is finally ready to roar, and we’ve got exclusive live photos along with all the details that matter.

The big news in under the bonnet, where an all-new 5.0-litre supercharged V8 resides will take the fight to the very best performance saloons, including the BMW M5, Mercedes E63 AMG and Audi RS6.

With 503bhp and 625Nm of torque, the 0-60mph sprint is despatched in just 4.7 seconds, exactly the same as the M5. But the new powerplant is surprising clean and economical - CO2 is pegged at 292g/km and economy at 22.5mpg.

In addition, the XF-R has a standard electronic active differential, which not only improves grip during aggressive cornering, but actually enhances refinement too. So it’s a purring kitten when cruising, but a real lion when the pace quickens.

On the outside, the XF-R gets a deep front spoiler with chrome accents and a sharper crease running from the flanks down each side of the skirt. There’s a pair of distinctive bonnet louvres, new wing mirrors with integrated indicator lights, and 20-inch alloy wheels are standard. At the rear, quad tailpipes leave no doubt as to the XF-R’s potential.

It’s a fitting flagship for a car that’s transformed Jaguar’s image, and with a price in the region of £60,000 when it hits showrooms in March, the XF-R looks certain continue Jaguar’s product revival.

But the XF wasn’t the only Jag that powered into Detroit, a heavily revised XKR took pride of place on the stand, too.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500

Building on standing but unspoken tradition, Ford is to unveil the most powerful Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang ever in Detroit. The 2010 Shelby GT500 has had its power hiked to 540hp / 402kW and some 510 foot-pounds of torque.

"We're proud of the many enhancements that were developed jointly by the Ford and Shelby Automobiles team last year that we've now incorporated into the new 2010 Shelby GT500," said Carroll Shelby, founder of Shelby Automobiles. "Building on what we learned to create the Shelby GT500KR, this new car offers a great combination of power, handling and braking. It is truly a special car that is a great deal of fun to drive."

The GT500 uses a 5.4-litre V8 engine with a supercharger to make its 540hp while redline is pegged at 6,250 rpm. That power dome on the hood is not only for bragging rights but serves to scoop up cool air to keep the engine at its best peak performance level. A manual transmission was upgraded and fitted, and it makes use of a twin-disc clutch. Engineers spend a lot of time making sure the car's exhaust note was audible, yet not overpowering, so you still know you are driving something special but without excessive interior intrusion.

Inside it features lots of "GT500" and "SHELBY" logos, leather fittings, voice-activated satellite navigation and custom interior lighting fitments.

Bentley GTC Speed touches down

Official pictures and details on Bentley's most powerful convertible ever.

Hold onto your hats, the most powerful Bentley convertible ever has blown in! We brought you spy shots of the Bentley GTC Speed back in October, but these are the first official pictures of the 200mph drop-top.

The GTC is the third Bentley to receive the ‘Speed’ treatment, following the GT coupe and the Continental Flying Spur. They all share a pumped-up version of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder in the world, producing 600bhp and an astonishing 750Nm of torque. Despite weighing in at a hefty two and a half tonnes 0-60mph is despatched in 4.5 seconds, while a 200mph top speed is possible with the roof in place, 195mph when it’s stowed.

Distinguishing the GTC Speed from the ‘standard’ car, besides the extra 48bhp, is a special tinted mesh in the radiator and lower air intake grille. There’s also larger 20-inch multi-spoke alloys as standard, wrapped in high-performance Pirelli PZero rubber. Lowered suspension and a subtle lip spoiler improve the Speed’s handling and aerodynamics, while wider twin-exhaust pipes help to turn up the volume.

Optional extras include fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes – the largest fitted to any production car in the world – and Bentley’s sophisticated Adaptive Cruise Control system.

The sumptuous interior takes its inspiration from the ‘Mulliner’ pack available on the standard GTC, and includes diamond-quilted leather on the seats and door trims, Speed-embossed scuff plates on the door frames, chrome gear lever and drilled-alloy sports pedals.

Based on the success of the other Speed models in the range, Bentley expect this upgraded version to account for over two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide – despite a substantial price tag of £146,100 when it goes on sale in the UK this spring.

2008 Paris Auto Show: Lamborghini Estoque Concept

Lamborghini enters the super-sedan fray with the Estoque Concept

There never has been a four-door sedan quite like the Lamborghini Estoque, which made its world debut amidst a somewhat ludicrous fashion show of scowling models wearing Lamborghini sportswear. Lambo boss Stephan Winkelmann said the V-10-powered all-wheel-driven car is only a concept, but we'd guess the factory is tooling up at this very moment to produce it given the upcoming 4-door Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

As is Lamborghini's custom, the name comes from the world of bullfighting (it's a matador's sword), and placement of the engine in front of the driver evokes the tremendous Lamborghini Espada from the late '60s and '70s. It was also quite refreshing to hear nothing about CO2 around the Lamborghini stand.

Why it Matters

The idea of "four-door sports cars" has been with us for two decades thanks to Nissan's marketing for the Maxima. However, these days there are three real four-door sports cars on the horizon. The Lamborghini Estoque Concept is a direct reply to the forthcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide sedans. It brings to the fray the kind of styling punch that we expect from Italy's most bull-headed brand, and if it makes it to production, it's sure to be a hell of a challenge to the German and British makes.

What it Looks Like

The Lamborghini Estoque Concept is impossible to ignore. The front end is highly reminiscent of the brand's sports cars, specifically the Lamborghini Reventon super-exotic. The rear echoes the same. However, the middle section is almost boring, as if someone at Lamborghini simply stretched a Reventon and added two doors. Still, we like the overall proportions, and the sloping trunk area reminds us of a Chevy Camaro, of all things. No matter what, you have to look at it.

What's Under the Skin

Since the Lamborghini Estoque is a concept, there is no actual drivetrain in the car. Thus, the information available is pretty pie-in-the-sky. Anything from the Gallardo to a powerful and torquey turbodiesel could make its way under the hood of the Estoque.

Lamborghini does make a point of noting how much space there is between the front and rear wheels, and how much room it creates in the cabin for the four occupants. The engine is also located behind the front axle line, allowing Lamborghini to call the Estoque Concept "mid-engined," even though the engine is in front of the passenger compartment.

What We Think

So far, the super-sedan competition – which is purely theoretical, as none of the cars are on sale yet – has been divided into two camps. The first is the sexy Aston Martin Rapide, and the second is the smart Porsche Panamera. The Lamborghini Estoque Concept cleaves between the two, offering up eye-catching styling that isn't quite as beautiful as the Aston, but with mechanicals that could in theory rival the Panamera.

Citroen GT Concept

Long, slender, French. We're not talking about the booth babes at this week's Paris motor show, but of the Citroen GT - a two-seat sports car concept with an interesting design history.

In this instance, the 'GT' nomenclature refers not only to the car's class or sporting aspirations, but to its history. Citroen's designers partnered with the tech-whizzes over at Polyphony Digital, the corporate entity behind the successful Gran Turismo video game. Though we first heard the two were collaborating at the 2008 Geneva motor show, the Paris venue is our first look at the finished product.

Early teaser photos indicated the car would be long, low, and wide. Indeed, the GT is that, but not quite the Audi R8 - clone those photos suggested. Many of the myriad scoops, fins, spoilers, and fussy details are so - well, Citroen.

Though it looks to be a mid-engine sports car, technically there isn't even an engine. Thinking green (though it's painted white), the GT's rear wheels are driven by electric motors, powered in turn by a hydrogen fuel cell.

Though we doubt it'll ever reach production, let alone reach the U.S., you may still have a chance to drive it. Go power-up your Playstation 3 and boot up Gran Turismo 5: Prologue - we hear you're now able to download the Citroen and take it for a spin.

Renault Megane Dynamique 1.9 dCi

French firm aims to take on the family hatchback elite with its all-new Megane.

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to stand out from the crowd. The previous generation Renault Megane had distinctive styling, but struggled in the sales charts.

As a result, the French firm has given the all-new model an understated makeover in an effort to revive its showroom success. And early impressions have been good, with uprated driving dynamics and improved quality taking the family hatchback close to the top of the class.

But how will the newcomer fare on UK soil? To find out Auto Express got behind the wheel of one of the first right-hand drive examples to cross the Channel.

Take one look at the Renault and it’s immediately clear that company bosses were stung by criticisms of the old car’s looks. The latest version is much more understated, with less eye-catching styling. However, it’s still handsome, with a wide stance, sweeping roofline and subtle detailing.

It’s a similar story inside, where visual flair has been kept to a minimum. Fortunately, quality has taken a leap forward and the solidly screwed together cabin is full of soft touch plastics. The only downside is a lack of rear legroom compared to rivals.

There are certainly no disappointments when you fire up the refined 128bhp 1.9-litre diesel motor. It’s a little noisy when cold, but once warmed through delivers punchy performance and should return over 50mpg at the pumps.

This enthusiastic powerplant is backed up by an entertaining driving experience. With strong grip, good body control and well-weighted steering, the Megane is fun to guide along twisting back roads. Our only criticism is that the ride can be uncomfortably firm at low speeds

But there are no such complaints about the price. Our mid-range Dynamique undercuts a similarly equipped Ford Focus by over £1,500.

Rival: Honda Civic 2.2 CDTi EX

There’s little to match the Honda for interior versatility and standard kit, while driving fans will love its hot hatch handling. But the Civic’s cabin is noisy at a cruise and wild styling will not be to all tastes.

Price: £17,517

Engine: 1.9-litre 4cyl turbodiesel, 128bhp

0-62mph: 9.5 seconds

Top speed: 127mph

Economy: 55.4mpg

CO2: 134g/km

Standard equipment: Air-conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic headlamps and wipers, electric windows, Bluetooth connectivity.

Mercedes CLS Grand Edition

New Mercedes CLS Grand Edition gives sporty four door its greatest luxury yet.

With it's uique front lights, exclusive alloy wheels and Grand Edition badging, Mercedes is hoping that no one misses the most luxurious evolution yet of the popular CLS.

Available from March, the limited edition model offers a four strong petrol and diesel engine range, and gets a bespoke interior.

Highlights include alcantara headlining and leather seats. To finish, the Mercedes also gets high gloss wood trim on the dashboard, steering wheel and gearlever.

Standard equipment includes Mercedes COMAND multimedia system, parking sensors and Grand Edition badged floor mats.

Prices are yet to be announced, but drivers can expect to pay around £50,000 for an entry level CLS280.