Volkswagen Passat (2014): the inside story

Secret new carsIn early 2014, VW will release the next European Passat codenamed B8. For the fourth time in the model's history, the Passat will have a fundamental shift in DNA. After two switches from longitudinal to transverse engines (B3/B6), the next evolution will ride on Volkswagen's MQB platform. This modular components set provides an infinitely greater dimensional flexibility as well as a much more space-efficient packaging.Even though B8 virtually maintains the current length, width and height, the interior is half a size bigger, the weight comes down by about 75 kilos, and the assembly can be sped up thanks to a larger number of prefabricated modules. For optimum economies of scale, MQB has been designed to cover...

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Lotus to launch new Exige-based rally car

Secret new carsClick Thumbnails to Enlarge Lotus will launch an Exige-based rally car at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, CAR has discovered. The company has announced it is broadening its already widespread motorsport activities to offer a race car for GT rallying categories. Although Hethel no longer produces the Exige, CAR understands a successor is in the works and will be engineered as a lairy rear-wheel drive racer to slot beneath the Super 2000s.There's no word yet on which formula in WRC or IRC the Lotus rally car will compete in. Privateers have competed in amateur rallying for years in Elises and Exiges, and Lotus sniffs an opportunity to sell them factory-prepped cars.When will Lotus launch the Exige rally car?Lotus...

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Lexus GS (2012) spied at the 'Ring

Secret new carsClick Thumbnails to Enlarge This is the new Lexus GS, spied at the Nürburgring. Mr May might protest at the increasing number of new vehicles that are honed at this infamous German circuit, but testing here is as much about reliability and endurance as lap times. Read on for the full story on the new Lexus GSSo, four-cylinder diesels and an estate are presumably on the cards for the new Lexus GS?Wrong, I’m afraid. There’s no Touring or Avant or any sort of load-lugger in the product plans. And Lexus has no desire to sell a diesel model either. However, with the vast majority of sales in the executive sector – at least in Europe – accounted for by small diesels (think BMW 520d, Audi A6 2.0 TDIs, Mercedes E220 CDI, and now...

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BMW 6-series Gran Coupe (2012): the scoop

Secret new carsWe’ve driven BMW’s 6-series Convertible and Coupe, but there’s one more Six on the way from Munich. Revealed in our artist’s impression, it’s the 6-series Gran Coupe, a four-door Six to take on the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7.Prototypes have already been spied on test, but this rendering reveals this true shape of the third 6-series model. It’s not quite as elegant as the CS that BMW canned during the recession, but it’ll still be much sleeker than its 5-series sister.Full facts and figures on the new BMW 6-series Gran Coupe please?In good time, because it’s still a year before this ‘four-door coupe’ goes on sale in the UK – it should reach British showrooms next summer. However, as this Gran Coupe...

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Fiat Panda (2012): the latest scoop

Secret new carsClick Thumbnails to Enlarge Fiat will show off the new Panda city car at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in mid September. Our artist’s impression shows a remarkably close vision of the new third-generation Panda.All Fiat Pandas to date owe a debt to 1980’s Giugiaro original, one of the timeless, simple-but-boxy designs of recent years. The new 2012 Panda will be no different, keeping the distinctive third side window and monobox silhouette of today’s successful model.Fiat Panda (2012): the lowdownThe new Panda will be around 10cm longer than today’s model, yet sits on the same wheelbase. It’s also a tad wider, to make more interior space.In terms of positioning, the Panda won’t change much; it’s Fiat’s Twingo rival, but now...

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Audi R8: more powerful V8 and V10 coming in 2012

Secret new carsClick Thumbnails to Enlarge The R8 supercar has been a big success story for Audi, but it’s not resting on its laurels. A facelift is coming and we hear in summer 2012, it’ll get a range of stronger engines.The 5.2-litre V10 will be tuned to a punchier 533bhp – up from 518bhp  – and our sources in Munich suggest a seven-speed dual clutch S-tronic gearbox will be launched for the first time. So far, only a delicious old-school Ferrari open-gate manual 'box has been available, or a clunky robotised R-tronic auto.Audi plans changes to the 2012 R8 V8 tooThe entry-level Audi R8 will be revised heavily in 2012 as well: CAR has learned that its 4.2-litre V8 will be upgraded to the same spec as the...

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Porsche 911 (2011) the clearest spyshots yet

Secret new carsClick Thumbnails to Enlarge Ever watched a woman badly applying her makeup while driving? That’s the look sported by this Porsche 911, which our spies have snapped barely disguised just outside the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen. They’re the clearest shots yet of the all-new 991-spec 911, and only the awkwardly applied camouflage around the front and rear lights is hiding the new (well, sort of new) styling.So what can you tell me about the new Porsche 911?The car in our pictures is the Carrera S variant, hence the quad exhausts and 20-inch wheels (wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber). Slung out behind the rear axle is an updated version of the existing 3.8-litre engine, uprated from 380bhp to 394bhp; the entry level Carrera...

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