New Mazda SUV CX-5

Mazda has taken the wraps off its Land Rover Freelander rival – which will sit below the full-size CX-7 SUV – and says it will be the first car to use its SKYACTIV eco technologies. This means low CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km.

The styling is inspired by the Minagi concept – which debuted at March’s Geneva Motor Show – with the design team doing a good job of retaining that car’s neat look.

The CX-5 showcases Mazda’s new KODO design language, which incorporates a fresh family face and more purposeful stance, which bosses claim it will be extended to the car’s cabin.

Under the bonnet is a choice of the new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre petrol engine and a SKYACTIV-D 2.2-litre diesel. The latter comes in two power outputs, with the lesser 173bhp option claiming the lowest CO2 figure – although this refers only to the front-wheel-drive version with a manual gearbox.

In comparison, the most efficient two-wheel-drive VW Tiguan provides 64bhp less power and still puts out 139g/km. Among the other SKYACTIV tweaks are new manual and automatic transmissions, while the body and chassis have been developed to be as light and rigid as possible.

BMW i3 and i8

The stars of BMW’s future have finally arrived. These are the first official pictures of the founding members of the eco-friendly ‘i’ sub-brand – the family hatch all-electric i3 and the hybrid supercar i8. 



Both models are built using BMW's LifeDrive construction. This essentially splits the car into two separate parts – an aluminium Drive section which houses the battery, suspension, and crash structures and a Life passenger section made from CFRP – a material at least as strong as steel but 50 per cent lighter. 

By using LifeDrive BMW claims to have cancelled out the weight penalty associated with the heavy battery packs electric cars must carry and the evidence suggests they're right. The i3 is taller and wider than a VW Golf, albeit around 30cm shorter, but it weighs just 1250kgs – that’s around 50kgs less than the lightest Golf. 

The ‘i’ cars come with a few subtle styling updates to mark them out as eco-specials. 

A blue ring now circles the badge, and the kidney grilles now have a matching blue background. BMW’s double circle headlights are replaced by U-shaped LEDs and both models take on a more curvaceous design than the firm's conventionally powered models.

The tall hatchback i3 gets a 168bhp electric motor mounted above the rear axle and delivers power to the rear wheels. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 7.9 seconds and the i3 is electronically limited to 93mph. 

Power is drawn from a lithium-ion battery mounted underneath the floor which is fitted with an integrated liquid cooling system to keep the battery at the optimal temperature. In winter, the battery can also be heated by the same method. A full recharge from a standard socket takes six hours, and a quick charge can fill the battery to 80 per cent in just one hour. 

On a full battery the i3 manages a 140-mile range according to the US economy drive-cycle and BMW claims that translates to an everyday range of 80-100 miles. Customers who are looking for more flexibility can specify an optional range-extending engine called REx that will be mounted alongside the electric motor over the rear axle. 

Unlike this system – which is only ever used to top up the batteries – the engine in the i8 actually provides drive to the rear wheels directly. In the case of the hybrid supercar it’s a 3-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged unit with 217bhp which works in tandem with the same electric motor from the i3 to power the rears – though in this instance it produces just 128bhp for a total of 345bhp. 

With both units working together, the i8 can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Alternatively, the i8 can run on electric power alone for up to 20 miles. Official fuel consumption stands at around 104mpg and CO2 emissions are just 66g/km. BMW admits that an everyday figure of around 50mpg is more likely though. 

BMW is still referring to both these cars as concepts but what you see here is essentially what you get when they arrive on the roads in 2013.

Honda CR-V 2012

There’s a new Honda CR-V on the way and the Japanese firm has given an early glimpse of how the fresh 4x4 will look with this concept.

Set to debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in California during September, the CR-V Concept gets narrower headlights than the outgoing car as well as a more pronounced three-bar chrome grill.

As it stands, there are no pictures of the rear but this shot appears to show a stretched body and taller back section which could accommodate a third row of seats to boost the CR-V from a five-seater to a seven-seater. 



Don’t expect to see too many changes from this concept when the CR-V reaches production, but the tinted windows and large alloys are likely to be toned down slightly.

Honda is keeping quiet on what powers the Concept, but any production car will boast improved efficiency and lower emissions over the 148bhp 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines currently available in the range.

Shelby Tuatara

Move over Bugatti! Shelby Supercars has released new pictures and named its brand-new contender in the supercar class - the Tuatara.

The US firm is a former holder of the world's fastest production car title - that was with its 1,183HP SCC Ultimate Aero TT that recorded a top speed of 257 mph. The 258mph Bugatti Veyron Super Sport topped that, but now Shelby is back for revenge

Styled by Saab's current design boss, Jason Castriota, the Tuatara will use a 1,331bhp twin-turbo 7.0-litre V8, sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed manual or a seven-speed robotised manual gearbox. Performance figures are yet to be released but the aim is clear - to surpass the Super Sport's 258mph top speed.

the name Tuatara actually refers to a type of reptile, native to New Zealand. It supposedly has the fastest evolving molecular structure in nature, something that the company's owner, Jarod Shelby, feels it shares with his carbon-fibre-bodied supercar.

"Most manufacturers essentially use the same basic model and body shape for up to 10 years, while only making small refinements to it each year. After only three years in production with the Ultimate Aero, SSC's Tuatara is about to monumentally evolve in the areas of sophistication, design, aerodynamics and shear all‐around performance. We felt that the fastest evolving DNA was a perfect definition of SSC's latest project.," he said.

There's no word on price, specification or release date yet for the Tuatara, but expect to see Shelby take a crack at the speed record before the end of the year.

Lamborghini Veneno

Lamborghini to reveal £2.6 million supercar at the 2013 Geneva motor show – and only three will be sold.

Lamborghini is showing what it calls a street-legal supercar, the Veneno – of which only three will be sold, each costing £2.6 million plus tax – at the 2013 Geneva motor show.

According to Lamborghini, its design is focused on maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The Veneno is based on the Aventador supercar, and shares its 6.5-litre V12 engine although in the Veneno it develops 50bhp more, at 750bhp. That, combined with a wind-cheating shape, should mean a top speed of 221mph.

The car's front has been laid out for optimum airflow and downforce. It's recognisably Lamborghini, although the overall look is reminiscent of sports-prototype racing cars. It shares the Aventador's scissor doors.

At the rear, too, sophisticated aerodynamics ensure perfect airflow to the large openings for cooling the V12 as well as supplying intake air.

The smooth underbody terminates in a diffuser framing the four exhaust outlets, while most of the rear of the car – featuring a fin and an adjustable wing – is open.

The complete chassis as well as the outer skin are formed from carbon-fibre-reinforced composite materials, while the interior is a further demonstration of Lamborghini's skill with carbon composites, featuring a couple of patented lightweight materials for the seats and all interior surfaces. The monocoque is based on that of the Aventador, as are the alloy subframes front and rear.

Like the Aventador, the Veneno has a fast-shifting ISR transmission with seven forward ratios and five modes, with drive to all four wheels. It also shares the Aventador's racing-style pushrod suspension with horizontally mounted spring/damper units.

Continuing the Lamborghini tradition, the Veneno name is derived from a particularly aggressive fighting bull.

The Veneno shown at Geneva is Lamborghini's development car, featuring red, white and green accents on the flanks to symbolise the Italian flag. The three customer cars will only have highlights in one of these colours.

Ryno, One Wheel Bike!

RYNO Prototype II!

The motorized single-wheeler just might really have a relevant place in our future.  Ryno Motors' Prototype II is the latest of the bunch and, to its credit, looks decidedly less circus-inspired than other unicycles currently searching for funding.

Unicycle 80's and 2012!

Designed for short-range transport (similar to a Segway), the single-seat vehicle is electric-powered, with a small onboard battery feeding it juice for up to 30 miles on a 1.5-hour charge.  It features notably more aggressive styling, making it perfect for biker clowns and men who can't bear the idea of driving around on a vehicle.

The future is near!

Ryno Motors doesn't even have an official name for the bike yet (it's just Prototype II), so you can imagine just how far away this is from even nearing production.  Of all the unicycles we've seen, though, this appears to be one of the more serviceable designs, with its motorcycle-style looks, ultra-compact frame and decent specs.

Nice, i want one!

No word on what motor it's using, but Ryno claims it can hit a top speed of 25 mph, apart from making it up 30-degree inclines.  It weighs a light 125lbs, has a turning radius of 0 to 3 feet and a maximum load of 250lbs.  Like other motorized unicycle prototypes, it uses a self-adjusting mechanism that prevents the rider from executing moves that can compromise its balance.

Watch the VIDEO!

According to Ryno, riding controls are similar to motorcycles, eliminating the learning curve for anyone who can ride a motorized bike.  The company is currently seeking investors.

Truck + Boat = Amphitruck!

If you’re a fan of the movies, you’ve no doubt seen vehicles capable of operating on land and in water. Rugged and versatile, these amphibious automobiles make for a great choice when conducting search and rescue missions and military operations. Mostly relegated to use by the military and other government agencies, amphibious vehicles can now be availed of by the public. 

Gibbs Technologies, a Detroit-based company that produces aquatic vehicles, has launched two high-speed ‘amphitrucks’ called the Humdinga II and Phibian. The strange looking vehicles are guaranteed to make people notice with their retractable wheels and capabilities. They’re perfect for folks who love all things rugged and innovative and we’re sure that the two new trucks will be a hit among macho men.

The Phibian is built out of carbon fiber and can attain highway speeds when on land owing to twin turbo diesel engines. When it hits the water, dual jet drives are activated and the wheels are retracted. All this can be achieved with just the touch of a button, taking about ten seconds for it to turn into an amphibious vehicle. When in water, it can reach a speed of more than 30 mph.

The 4WD Phibian is pretty large having a capacity of holding 12 passengers and three crew members. While the amphitruck is intended for use in rescue and military missions, we’re hoping it can be bought for personal use too.

The 4WD Humdinga II, meanwhile, is smaller than the Phibian and is better suited for a rapid response role or light duty patrol in areas that are rugged and remote. It can hold five to seven passengers and when needed for cargo carrying, can manage 1,653 pounds of payload. It operates on a supercharged 350 hp V8 gas engine and like the Phibian, uses dual jet drives when needed in water.

The two vehicles can be customized according to requirement. For now, the company is considering factory-installed components for the Phibian like a rear radar arch, a canvas T-top over the cockpit with an extended canvas over the cargo area, a fully-enclosed stand-up cabin, tailgate and winch and US Coast Guard-required equipment that passengers can use.

Peugeot 208 GTi

Peugeot is preparing to unleash a hot GTi version of its new 208 supermini – and the ingredients are right for it to be one of the most exciting Peugeots for years. We have all the details, and our illustrations show how the standard 208 will be transformed.

Like the 205 GTi, which was offered with 105bhp 1.6-litre and 130bhp 1.9-litre engines, the 208 will come with a choice of power outputs.

The tamer version will feature the same 181bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine as the MINI Cooper S, cover the 0-62mph sprint in less than seven seconds and still return almost 50mpg.

The interior will get sports seats and GTi badges, while the exterior will feature bigger alloys, a pumped-up bodykit and larger foglights. At the back, a roof spoiler and twin exhausts finish off the makeover.

The 208 GTi will have plenty of rivals, as the Ford Fiesta ST is due before the end of the year, and there’s an all-new Renaultsport Clio arriving in early 2013. There’s no official release date for the 208 GTi.