Jaguar pulled the covers off its all-new XF - 18 metres above the Thames. The world’s longest hire-wire water crossing showcased the XF’s lightweight credentials – its new aluminium body is 190kgs lighter than its predecessor. Less weight means better efficiency, says Jaguar, with the new car offering over 70mpg. Power comes from a choice of engines ranging from a 2.0-litre diesel to a 380PS, 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine. Further details for the all-new Jaguar XF will be revealed at the New York Auto Show in April.
Saloon
VIDEO: Skoda confirms pricing for all-new Superb
Skoda has announced prices for its flagship Superb will start from £18,640 OTR. The new model will be available with seven engine choices, the option of DSG automatic and 4x4 transmissions on selected models, and 4 trim levels. The exclusive 'Laurin & Klement' Superb tops the range at £33,840 OTR. The new Skoda Superb goes on sale later this year, with first customer deliveries expected in September.
VIDEO: Skoda reveals new flagship Superb
Skoda has pulled the covers off its all-new Superb – showcasing the brand’s new design language with a restyled grille, new headlights and a gently sloping coupe-like roofline. The Skoda flagship is up to 75 kg lighter than the model it replaces and offers up to 30 per cent lower fuel consumption, with the GreenLine version returning 76.4mpg and CO2 emissions of just 95g/km. It comes with a choice of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, two- or four-wheel drive, and features brake energy recovery as standard.
VIDEO: Idris Elba on Jaguar XE Euro road trip
Jaguar has loaned actor and self-confessed petrolhead, Idris Elba, a brand new XE for a 750 mile road trip from London to Berlin. It's part of a new mini-series documenting his journey to the German launch of Jaguar's new sports saloon. Elba will be testing the XE's fuel economy credentials, but he’s already diverted to Belgium's Spa Circuit to see what its 340PS can do round the track, with the help of former F1 driver Martin Brundle. Prices for the new Jaguar XE range will begin at £27,000 OTR.
VIDEO: Infiniti confirms Q70 pricing and specification
Infiniti has confirmed its new Q70 saloon range will start at £32,650 on the road. The entry-level model includes full LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery as standard while power comes from a 170PS, 2.2-litre diesel engine which replaces the 3.0-litre V6 diesel offered previously on the Premium trim. A 3.7-litre V6 petrol-powered version is also available, as well as the flagship Hybrid – priced at £46,600 on the road –which boasts a 0-62 time of 5.3 seconds and CO2 emissions of 145g/km.
Hybrid, Electric car, Saloon, Motor Show
VIDEO: Mercedes adds Plug-In Hybrid drive to C-Class
Mercedes has added hybrid technology to the C-Class range. The C350 Plug-In Hybrid, unveiled in Detroit, is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine in conjunction with an electric motor, for a total system output of 279 bhp and 600 Nm of torque. With a 0-62 mph time of 5.9 seconds, Mercedes says the new C-Class Hybrid delivers sportscar-like performance, despite returning fuel consumption of 134mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 48 g/km. It can also cover a distance of 19 miles in emission-free, electric-only mode.
Convertible, Sports car, Saloon
VIDEO: BMW reveals M4 Convertible
BMW has revealed the new M4 Convertible - the fifth-generation open-top car to bear the M badge. Powered by the same 431bhp six-cylinder engine as the M4 Coupe, it will get from 0 to 62mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. Despite having more equipment, it's around 60kg lighter than the outgoing M3 Convertible and features a three-part metal roof that can open fully in just 20 seconds. Sales kick off in September with prices starting from just over £60,000 on the road.
Concept car, Saloon, Motorshow
VIDEO: 2014 Auto China Beijing preview
With Auto China 2014 opening its doors this week in Beijing, we take a look at a few of the show cars with star potential. Citroen will reveal its DS 5LS R Concept -- a luxury saloon fitted with lightweight carbon fibre components to maximise the performance from its 300bhp, 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine. Bentley will pull the covers off the Mulsanne-based Hybrid Concept. The luxury car maker's first ever hybrid uses copper as a styling element to highlight its electrical veins, which endow it with an emissions-free, electric-only driving range of up to 50km. Finally, Infiniti will premiere a short film of the Q50 Eau Rouge development prototype being put through its paces by Director of Performance and Formula 1 World Champion, Sebastian Vettel.
VIDEO: Audi S3 Cabriolet joins the range
Order books have opened for the first ever Audi S3 Cabriolet, fresh from its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The flagship soft-top is powered by a 2.0 turbocharged TFSI engine pumping out 300PS for a 0-62 time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. As with every S model the Cabriolet includes quattro permanent all-wheel drive and S tronic transmission as standard. UK order books open in April with first deliveries expected in July. Pricing has yet to be announced.