Volkswagen Touareg pricing announced (UK)

Volkswagen's new Touareg 4x4 will cost from £38,255 to £56,530 when it goes on sale. The new Touareg is more than 200kg lighter than the outgoing model, despite an increase in length of 20mm. VW also claims the range is now 20% more efficient.

The entry-level SE model gets leather interior, 18” alloy wheels, touch-screen satellite-navigation w/ DAB digital radio, dual-zone climate control, burr walnut trim and 6 airbags as standard. It comes with a 237bhp 3.0 TDI V6 diesel, which has a combined fuel economy of 38.2mpg and emits 195g/km of CO2. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph. The 237bhp 3.0 TDI has a commendable 550Nm of torque and is available at 2,000prm. All models in the range use an 8 speed automatic gearbox.

Volkswagen considering Passat CC wagon

Volkswagen's range expansion could include an estate version of its Passat CC, according to sources in Germany.

Since the next-generation Passat will not be sold in the U.S and its replacement, the New Midsize Sedan, will not offer a station wagon variant - a CC wagon would fill a useful niche in a region where it’s selling well.

KIA Picanto & Cee'd recalled (UK)

Kia UK is recalling 486 Cee'd models for checks on the brakes, along with 6,585 Picanto city-cars because of a potential fuel leak.

The manufacturer says the brakes on the Cee'd fitted with stability control (ESP) might suffer from insufficient braking effort from the master cylinder. Cars built between 1st April 2008 – 30th March 2009 are under investigation.

Range Rover pushing for Sport hybrid

JLR are pushing for a hybrid RR Sport. Jaguar Land Rover is making good progress on the technology, with more than 100 engineers devoted to development.

“Hybrid is an expensive [engineering] investment and an expensive piece cost, so the focus has to be on larger vehicles,” said Land Rover boss Phil Popham.

Vauxhall introduces Insignia 4x4 diesel (UK)

The Vauxhall Insignia estate is now available as a 4WD diesel for the first time. The Insignia Estate 4x4 will go on sale in September, combining the company’s adaptive 4x4 system (previously available with the 2.0 and 2.8 litre petrol engines) with the 2.0 CDTi 160 engine.

As well as automatically dispensing power between the front and rear axles to maximise traction, the 4x4 system also comes with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. This controls the distribution of torque between the rear wheels, transferring it to the wheel that has the most grip and allowing the car to keep moving even when just one wheel has traction.

Next generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X to be diesel-hybrid

Mitsubishi is planning a drastic overhaul of its Lancer Evolution by changing the next model into a diesel hybrid. The switch of drivetrain is designed to save the Evo from strict economy and emissions regulations while saving its trademark mid-range punch.

2012 León essential to SEAT's future

Seat will use its next-generation Leon to launch its first hybrid and electric cars from 2012 as part of its new 5 year plan, even though there are still no plans for the firm to enter into new market segments.

The Spanish manufacturer is currently testing a plug-in hybrid version of the Leon, known as Twin Drive, and this is expected to be part of the next Leon range that’s planned to arrive in late 2012.

An all-electric version of the Leon is also likely after Volkswagen announced plans to build an all-electric version of the Golf (the car on which the Leon is based) from 2013. The Golf blue-e-motion drivetrain is likely to come from the IBE concept from Geneva, although there are no plans to put the IBE itself into production.

Electric cars need steel bodies

The next generation of electric cars will need specifically designed steel bodies to exploit their green potential, according to the world’s biggest steel makers.

A new research project, the Future Steel Vehicle (FSV), is testing redesigned structural parts in an electric car’s bodywork, including the sills, front crash structure, roof and battery carrier, to cut weight and save energy.

Mazda working on new rotary engine for RX-8 heir

Mazda is working on a new rotary engine for the RX-7 descendant that can run on either petrol or diesel, and offer improved fuel economy compared to the recently terminated RX-8 coupe.

The two-stroke 16X engine is designed to correct the shortcomings of Mazda’s most recent rotary engine, including its high oil consumption and lack of torque in the mid-range. Sources in Japan say the new unit has achieved considerable improvements in fuel efficiency.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta spied nearly undisguised

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta has been spied partially undisguised – hinting that the Jetta will be unveiled soon. The pre-production cars were caught undergoing final shake-down tests in Detroit, Michigan.

The newcomer is baring strong similarity at the New Compact Coupe (NCC) Concept, which was exposed at this year’s Detroit motorshow. Up front, the car's front bumper, headlights and bonnet contours follow the NCC closely, while at the back, the tail-lights are virtually unchanged from the NCC.