Automotive World

The more practical, five-door version of the A1 has the same length as the three door model at 3.95 meters (12.96 ft) but is several millimeters taller and wider thus offering a little more space in the rear seats – though don't expect any wonders.. In addition, buyers can order the Sportback with either a four- or five-seat layout at no extra cost.

The brand new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel unit joins Honda's revised 2.2-liter i-DTEC diesel, which delivers 150HP. The smaller unit is rated at 118HP (120PS) at 4,000 rpm and has a peak torque of 300Nm (221.3 lb-ft) at 2,000 rpm.

While there are no engine upgrades, the Focus Zetec S offers a sportier exterior appearance through a body kit that includes front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions along with rear LED tail lamps and new 17in alloy wheels.

But why spend a fortune to try to develop a new technology when there is already one available? In August, Ford made a deal with Toyota to collaborate on hybrid technology.

Starting with the visual upgrades, the German tuner has developed a comprehensive aero package that includes a front apron, side skirts, a front fender attachment with an illuminated Brabus logo, a rear apron with a diffuser and an available roof spoiler.

The new Audi A6 received an “Excellent” rating with an overall score of 93 points. This is a huge improvement over the previous model's 79 points.

“The redesigned Audi A6 is an impressive car and a joy to drive”, said senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. Consumer reports says that the significant improvement is attributed to the revamped model’s combination of strong acceleration, agile handling and comfortable ride as well its high-quality and quiet interior.

Other models included in CR’s mid-size luxury test were the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Infiniti M35h hybrid and the new Saab 9-5.

But that may change soon as during an interview at the LA Auto Show, Don Butler, Cadillac’s marketing vice president, said that GM's luxury division is considering adding diesels to its engine range.

Following the completion of the 2,884-miles coast-to-coast trip in a standard, UK-registered, right-hand drive XF 2.2D, the British automaker has now released a short film recording bits and pieces from the journey made by independent testers, David and Alexander Madgwick, mixed with facts about the car.

Nowadays, the Italian company is trying to reach out to the same demographic with trim models like the new Ypsilon Black&Red that will make its debut at next month's 2011 Bologna Motor Show.

The British-registered, right-hand drive model was brought to the U.S. by Jaguar to showcase the qualities of its diesel-powered XF, which was recently introduced in Europe but is not offered in the States.

Jaguar says that the executive sedan returned an average fuel economy of 62.9 mpg, though the company did not clarify* if the number is US mpg or Imperial mpg – if it's the latter, then it equals to 52.4 mpg US / 4.5lt per 100km.

The first new specification is the A1 Black Edition that is offered exclusively with 185PS 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine or the newly introduced 143PS 2.0-litre TDI.

To do so, Jaguar brought a British-registered, right-hand drive XF 2.2-litre diesel model to the U.S. with the intent of crossing the country from New York City to Los Angeles in seven days, in a journey that spans more than 2,800 miles and 11 states.

According to the French automaker, the diesel-powered supermini returns a combined fuel economy of 83.1mpg UK (equal to 69.2mpg US and 3.4lt/100km) with CO2 emissions of just 87g/km.

The refreshed mid-size model that is available in two body styles, sedan and station wagon, will begin reaching European showrooms in the beginning of next year, but Toyota's UK arm has already announced pricing details.

Even though Mazda's initial press release didn't disclose many details, the Takeri is believed to be a thinly disguised concept of the next generation of the Mazda6 sedan in the same way that the Minagi study previewed the CX-5 that was revealed in Frankfurt this September.

The Mk3 will sit on a brand new modular platform architecture named "ULK1" that has been designed for both front- and all-wheel drive applications, and will be used on a great variety of Mini and BMW models including a replacement for the recently launched 1-Series hatchback.

The three-door hatchback prototype spied in these photos will be the first ULK1-based Mini to arrive in the market in late 2013, followed by a raft of new body styles such as a convertible and replacements for the Coupe and Roadster among other models.

Set to make its world debut at the upcoming 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month, the 2013 Volkswagen Passat packs some select visual scrub ups to bring it up to date with the German brand's more recent offerings.

You can spot the new model by the redesigned front that gets a new chrome-trimmed grille, reshaped headlamps that incorporate a ring of LEDs and a reworked bumper.

"We will start small series production by 2013 – in Germany," Winterkorn told the publication.

The Roadster is the soft-top variant of the Coupe introduced earlier this summer, and is the sixth model to be added to MINI's line-up as well as the first open-top two-seater in the brand's history.

As is the case with the Coupe, the Roadster is based on the current Mini hatchback so it doesn't come to much of a surprise that its dimensions largely mirror those of the Mini Convertible at 3,734mm long, 1,683mm wide and 1,390mm tall.