Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special (2010) on test

These are the first pictures of a very special Jaguar XKR. Caught testing in the UK, it’s thought to be a prototype of the production version of the Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special. A highly-placed Jaguar source has made it clear to CAR that there's a strong desire within the company to make harder, faster versions of the XFR and XKR, and this vehicle looks like their wishes have come true. The

BMW’s one-off M5

This is a one-off BMW M5 with close to 600bhp. Built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of BMW’s iconic M5 super-saloon, it’s a stripped-out lightweight special that shows what M Division could have done if it hadn’t built the X5 M and X6 M. Details, quickly please! I’m slobbering over this new BMW M5 already! Let’s start with the engine. As if the 500bhp/384lb ft 5.0-litre V10 wasn’t

Mercedes E63 AMG (2009) CAR review

The new E63 is Merc’s AMG-powered middleweight and follows a tried and tested plan: big V8 + sober saloon = autobahn domination. Well that’s the theory, and this is the reality. So this week it’s the E-class’ turn to have a go with the 6.2-litre V8? Yes, Mercedes likes to spread the bhp love around and so it’s no surprise that the shortly after the release of the regular E-class, we’re now being

BMW 7-series ActiveHybrid 7 2009

How very BMW. The new ActiveHybrid 7 – Munich's name for its petrol-electric hybrid 7-series – is very much lodged at the top of the Seven family tree. Not for BMW to launch a sackcloth and sandals 7-series hybrid; this one sports a 4.4-litre V8, not one but two turbochargers and a 0-60mph sprint claim to worry many Porsches.We lost count of the number of times BM execs stood up at the press

Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI SE

Skoda does a good line in half sizes. The Octavia is a bit bigger than Focus types, but not as chunky as a Mondeo. And so the new Skoda Yeti is larger than its Fiat Panda looky-likey, but not quite as big as the Nissan Qashqai-set soft-roaders it’s aimed at. It’s a handy point of distinction and the Yeti looks pleasingly trim as a result: not as bolshily bulky as some threatening SUVs yet with a

Saab’s new 9-5 estate 2010

This is our new artist’s impression of the new Saab 9-5 estate, one of the first new products to be launched by Saab as a new independent car maker. It’s scheduled for launch in autumn 2010, by which time they hope to have sorted out the complicated separation from GM. It’s one of four new Saabs coming in 18 months: the 9-5 saloon and estate, the new 9-4X crossover and the next 9-3. What’s new on

Honda Civic Type R Mugen 2010

The Honda Civic Type R Mugen is going into production. Yes, it might have been the worst kept secret in the world, but now Honda and Mugen have officially announced that they will produce a limited number of tuned and tweaked Euro-spec Civic Type Rs for the UK. Just 20 will be made, each will cost £38,599, and if you tick the right option boxes you can make sure your car is exactly like the

Toyota Auris Hybrid

Toyota showed off its Auris Hybrid Concept at this autumn's 2009 Frankfurt motor show – and here's the finished version testing in Europe ahead of launch in autumn 2010. This will be Toyota's first mainstream hybrid; the Prius has pioneered the petrol-electric technology in a standalone bodystyle, but now the Japanese want to roll out the Hybrid Synergy Drive across its entire volume model

VR Chevrolet Camaro 2010

When GM uncloaked their Camaro retro remake at the 2006 Detroit auto show, the domestic audience understandably adored it. That muscle car concept is now a showroom reality, but any plans of bringing a right-hook version to South African, Aussie or Brit shores have been quashed – presumably due to low-volume sales and GM’s moth-eaten wallet.Much like a Mustang or Challenger, if you live in