Renault has revealed I-Music, a new special edition range of vehicles which have been designed to offer a host of appealing extra features at a bargain price. New versions of the Clio, Modus, Kangoo, Megane and Scenic are included in the new range, all of which come equipped with extras like alloy wheels, aluminium-effect door mirrors and front fog lights. In addition, the vehicles have been outfitted with multimedia features such as Bluetooth hands-free phone functionality and TunePoint, which allows drivers to plug their MP3 players into the car's radio.

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:55:27

Chevrolet has received a strong recommendation for the safety and durability of its forthcoming city car, the Spark. The stylish compact vehicle proved that it has not skimped on fundamental safety performance by achieving a four-star rating in a crash test conducted by the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). This made it one of the strongest performers in its class, scoring one point less than it would have needed to attain the full-five star rating.

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:25:54

Readers of men's magazine Nuts have named the Ford Focus RS as their pick for car of the year. The sporty model was named as the year's top motor on the basis of its affordability and striking looks, while the magazine's deputy editor Adam Raph also described it as "ridiculously good fun to drive". Ford has enjoyed notable success with the Focus RS so far, having taken more than 2,000 orders for the model, as well as winning the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers' Sporting Car of the Year prize.

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:45:24

BMW has given motor enthusiasts their first glimpse of the 5 Series, its sixth generation saloon which it claims to be the best in its class. The newest incarnation of the 37-year-old brand is set to offer a range of performance-enhancing features, such as an eight-speed automatic transmission, ultra-efficient engine and a system to control emissions. In addition, the car's interior has been optimised for a luxurious look, with Dakota leather upholstery and Black Panel technology, which integrates the centre console into the car's trim.

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:01:07

Subaru has been lauded for the robustness and safety of its car range after outperforming rival manufacturers in crash tests. The Japanese carmaker received a Top Safety Pick award from the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for a number of models, including the Impreza, Tribeca and Outback. It was the only manufacturer to receive the award for every car trialled in the tests, besting other high-profile brands such as Volvo, Audi, Honda and Ford.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:59:05

Mazda has won a Japanese technology award for an energy-efficient engine-stopping device it introduced this year. The Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RCJ) gave its Technology of the Year award to i-stop, which is used in the Mazda3 to automatically switch off the engine whenever the car is stopped. Combustion energy then restarts the engine in less than half a second when the car moves off, meaning that drivers can save on fuel and emissions without interrupting their drive.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:11:30

British drivers could start to see electric car charging points appearing all over the country thanks to a new £30 million scheme. The government has outlined its Plugged-In Places initiative, which will see between three and six cities have charging stations for the eco-friendly vehicles installed on streets and in car parks and shopping centres. This scheme will act as a testing ground for the development of a national charging infrastructure in the future, which will make life easier for those investing in electric cars.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:47:34

Volkswagen is the most popular European vehicle manufacturer among UK drivers, according to a new online poll. The German carmaker came top in a survey conducted by RoadTestReports.co.uk to identify the European brands people considered the best and most reliable. More than a third of respondents chose Volkswagen, with Skoda and SEAT, both of which are owned by the Volkswagen group, finishing in second and third places.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:26:39

Toyota has begun taking UK orders for the latest version of the Land Cruiser, claiming that the new 4x4 can "excel in the toughest conditions". The Japanese carmaker has enhanced the newest incarnation of the famous brand with a number of performance and safety features to allow for comfortable off-road driving. Among these is Crawl Control, an automated engine and brake control system for tough conditions, as well as in-built cameras and monitors to allow drivers to see the area around the car more clearly.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:10:59

Scottish motor experts have named the Land Rover Discovery 4 as the year's best car. The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) awarded the rugged 4x4 its overall Car of the Year award in recognition of its versatility, sturdiness and comfort. More than 60 different cars were in competition for the award, with vehicles being trialled on Scottish roads over the last year to determine a winner.

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:29:25