Vokswagen Polo R-Line

For the Polo, Volkswagen has introduced two R-Line styling packages. The first is the R-Line Exterior package that is available as an option for the Polo Comfortline (€1,450) and the Polo Highline (€1,010).


It includes 16- or optionally 17-inch alloy wheels shod in beefy 215 tires, black gloss finish for the front grille, model-specific front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, chrome tail pipes, a roof spoiler, side skirts, fog lamps and LED license plate illumination.
The second option for the Polo is the R-Line Plus that styles up the interior. Priced at €855 for the Polo Comfortline and €450 for the Polo Highline, it brings a pair of sport seats up front (optionally available in Alcantara and leather), black roof lining, a sport leather steering wheel, glossy black dashboard trim, and aluminum pedals and door sills.

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1978 VW Beetle 5,7 Liter V8

The owner of this modified Bug tried to keep the looks of the car as close to stock as possible, but underneath, it's a completely different story.
This DIY project is said to combine the body shell of a 1978 Beetle with a 1993 Chevrolet S-10 front frame and a 1989 Ford Mustang rear end, while power is provided by a Chevrolet small block 350 (5.7-liters) V8 engine.
Not the kind of vehicle you'd like to take a trip in but nevertheless, an impressive ride for a quick run around the block.

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Skoda Citigo

The Czech automaker's smallest vehicle will go on sale in its home market before the end of this year, with the UK and other European countries following at the beginning of summer 2012.
Unlike its Wolfsburg sibling that will launch in a three-door body style, the Citigo will be offered in both three-door and five-door versions.


Even though lately the Volkswagen Group has tried to cover up the common platform and mechanical hardware shared amongst its brands with unique body shells, that's not the case with the Citigo.


The main styling differences with the VW Up! are limited to the Skoda's front end including the bumper, headlamps and grille designs, the alloy wheels plus the tail lamp graphics (not the shape) and the bumper.


The two cars share more or less the same dimensions, with the Citigo measuring just 3,563mm long, 1,641mm wide and 1,478mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,420mm.


The Czech automaker says the Citigo can accommodate four-passengers in comfort. Boot space is a respectable (for the car's size) 251 liters, which can be extended to 951 liters by folding down the rear seats.


There are no photos of the interior yet, but we suspect that there won’t any be significant / noteworthy styling changes over the VW Up!. Like its German sibling, the Citigo will be offered with an available portable navigation system featuring a 5-inch screen, which will also provide hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth and onboard infotainment.


The Skoda model will launch with two new, three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engines delivering 60HP (44kW) and 75HP (55kW) in both standard and Green Tec flavors.


The standard versions return 62.8mpg UK (52.3mpg US or 4.5lt/100km) and 105g CO2/km for the 60HP engine, and 60.1mpg UK (50.0mpg US or 4.7lt/100km) and 108g CO2/km with the 75PS unit.
The Green Tec derivatives are rated at 67.3mpg UK (56.0mpg US or 4.2lt/100km) and 65.7mpg UK (54.7mpg US or 4.3lt/100km) respectively with emissions of 97g and 99g CO2/km respectively.

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Citroen C4 AIRCROSS SUV

The new crossover is 4.34 m long, 1.80 m wide and 1.63 m tall, and has a luggage compartment space of 442-liter.

Like its Peugeot counterpart, the C4 Aircross’ engine range consists of four engines. The 110HP 1.6-liter petrol unit will only be available with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission, while buyers of the 150HP 2.0-liter petrol (which won’t be sold in Europe) and the 1.6- and 1.8-liter diesels, with an output of 110 and 150HP respectively, will have the option of four-wheel drive as well.

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2012 Peugeot 4008 SUV

Peugeot new crossover model measures 4,340mm long (295mm shorter than the 4,635 mm 4007), 1.800mm wide and 1.630mm tall, and has a 2,670mm long wheelbase.


The new Peugeot will be available with four engines, including two gasoline and two diesel units. The petrol range is comprised of a 1.6-liter unit delivering 116HP and 152 Nm (112 lb-ft), and a 2.0-liter with 150HP and 198Nm (146 lb-ft). Both engines are offered with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a CVT auto being an option on the 2.0-liter unit.


The HDi turbodiesels are a 1.6-liter unit with 112HP and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque and a 1.8-liter with 150HP and 300Nm (221.2 lb-ft) of torque, both exclusively available with a six-speed manual gearbox.


The 4008 comes in both front- and all-wheel drive derivatives. The AWD system has three modes: 2WD, in which power is directed only to the front wheels, 4WD and LOCK. In the last two, torque is directed to all four wheels and its distribution is controlled electronically according to the road conditions.


Peugeot said the new compact crossover will be sold in Europe only with the diesel engines and four-wheel drive, while other markets around the world will have access to front-wheel drive and gasoline editions as well.

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Rowan Atkinson talks about Johnny English Rolls-Royce Phantom

The Johnny English star talks up the Rolls-Royce brand and the specially equipped Phantom model which makes an appearance in the second installment of the Bond-spook film series. The car plays a crucial role in Johnny English Reborn and comes with an experimental 9.0 liter V16 - in the fictional world of the movie that is. The film Johnny English Reborn will debut on October 7 in the U.K. and in the United States on October 28.

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Peugeot 508 GT 2.2 Liter HDi Sedan (Test Drive)

Like the Peugeot 5 Concept, the 508 is guaranteed to polarise opinions. The styling definitely falls into the like it or loath it category with a Bangle-esque arse, 7th generation Honda Accord headlights, trapezoidal grille and reverse rake C-pillar. Somehow, though, it all works – especially in the flesh.


There’s a sense of style and occasion to the 508, and the GT spec’s 18 inch alloys really set the car off. The clustered daytime running lights, front fogs and the subtle use of chrome on the boot lid, grille and around the window line are also effective.


It compares favourably when placed alongside its competitors: the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord Euro, Hyundai i45 / Sonata and Volkswagen Passat. The 508 sedan measures 4,792 mm (188.66 in.) in length with a 2,817 mm (110.90 in.) wheelbase – roughly 100 mm (3.93 in.) less than the current gen Holden Commodore sedan.


The front and rear overhangs are well proportioned at 985 mm (38.77 in.) and 990 mm (38.98 in.) respectively. It’s also 1,456 mm (57.32 in.) tall and 2,068 mm (81.42 in.) wide with the wing mirrors (1,853 mm / 72.95 in. without). It’s very individual and very French, which I think is just what the designers were going for.


Inside 
Inside is where the 508 really shines. The seats are Nappa leather and the cabin abounds with piano black and carbon-lookalike trim pieces. What surprises most is just how functional everything is: from the intuitive quad-zone climate control to the meaty multi-function steering wheel.
The instrument cluster is neatly designed and easy to read, as is the switchable trip computer display. The colour HUD is less useful, being all but unreadable in direct sunlight and with no option to turn it off.


On the upside, the satellite navigation and radio controls are some of the best on the market and a pleasure to use. The front pews are also comfortable and there’s more than enough leg room, even for a tall bloke like me.


On The Road
Our Egyptian Blue 508 GT was fitted with Peugeot’s 2.2-liter HDi four-cylinder common rail turbo diesel engine producing an output of 204HP / 150 kW at 3,500 rpm and a peak torque of 450 Nm / 331.9 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm.


The turbocharcged diesel is a torquey little unit and well-paired to the 6-speed automatic transmission that powers the front-wheels, allowing for both comfortable freeway cruising and brisk overtaking manoeuvres.
Peugeot’s published figures suggest a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62mph) time of 8.2 seconds; I think most drivers (myself included) would manage 9 without pushing the engine too hard. We were unable to test the claimed 230 km/h (145 mph) top speed, though at 100 km/h (62 mph) the HDi was suitably quiet and refined.


It’s easy to forget just how large a car it really is, except when parking it – at which point the front and rear parking sensors become a real godsend.


I wasn’t impressed with the GT’s unique double wishbone and drop link hub carrier front suspension, which let me feel and hear every bump and pothole on the road. I understand that there’s an expectation for all car’s today to have some sporting character but in this category I’d rather have a little less sport and a little more comfort.


The weighted steering is also good in a variety of conditions, thanks mostly to the speed sensitive power steering. I’ve yet to find a large car that’s as much a pleasure to park as the 508. The steering wheel mounted cruise control and speed limiter functions are also very intuitive and make driving the 508 a real treat.


As for fuel economy, I think the manufacturer’s combined cycle rating of 5.7 lt/100 (41.2 mpg US, 49.6 mpg UK ) is a little optimistic; according to the trip computer I averaged around 8.0lt/ 100 (29.4 mpg US / 35.3 mpg) through a combination of city and highway driving.
I found the brakes to be more than adequate for a car of the 508’s size.

The Finals
My first thought on stepping into the 508 was, “It feels German.” This is no bad thing, and Peugeot’s build quality and dedication to design have certainly improved over the outgoing 407. On the upside, however, the 508 is a car that I think is uniquely French.
It’s a satisfying drive and quite live-able for a car of its size. The 2.2 L HDi is an unusual choice for a range-topper but I think that just gives it all the more character.
Peugeot has succeeded in bridging the gap between French flair and Germanic toughness, which I think is no mean feat. I enjoyed my time in the 508 and look forward to seeing what the French automaker can do in the coming years.

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