Top 5 news stories of the week
Auto Express's round-up of the five biggest and most important news stories this week
1. Audi Quattro concept
After weeks of leaked images, blurry teaser shots and internet rumors, the Audi quattro concept has finally been unveiled. Headline figures read: 690bhp and a price tag in excess of £125,000. The quattro concept will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week and is designed to mark the 30th anniversary of the original 1983 iconic Sport Quattro. This 21st century Quattro uses the same 552bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 as found in the RS6 Avant but is also twinned with a 147bhp electric motor. The top speed is 190mph and 0-62mph is dealt with in 3.7 seconds. Despite the blistering performance figures, Audi claim economy of 113mpg and only 59g/km of CO2.
Read the full story here: Audi quattro finally revealed
2. Ford Mondeo Vignale
Ford has announced a new Mondeo concept called the Vignale. It’s the first in a long line of future Ford concepts that will see more premium versions of existing cars introduced to the line-up, each wearing the new Vignale (pronounced vin-yar-lay) badge. The Mondeo Vignale concept – due in the first quarter of 2015 – is an insight into what we can expect from the future luxury models. It will be on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week and features a unique interior and subtle but exclusive exterior changes modifications.
Read the full story here: Ford Mondeo Vignale revealed
3. Jaguar 4x4 teased
An picture of the new Jaguar C-X17 4x4 has leaked online. Following several sketches and artists illustrations, this is the first official glimpse – see gallery – of Jaguar’s first SUV, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. No technical details have been released but the production car is likely to use the current line-up of V6 petrol and diesel units, plus a pair of new turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol and diesel four-cylinders currently under development.
Read the full story here: Jaguar 4x4 concept leaked
4. Toyota hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
Toyota has announced their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will go on sale by 2015, after it is showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. Toyota first unveiled their FCV-R concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2011, since then Toyota engineers have tweaked with the hydrogen system to increase maximum driving range to 300 miles. The main issue surrounding hydrogen vehicles, however, is the price. Toyota claim they will be able to achieve a price of less than £70,000 for the FCV-R concept, but that figure will have to be reduced dramatically before cars of this sort become commercially viable.
Read the full story here: Toyota's hydrogen future
5. Land Rover Discovery facelift
Land Rover has given the Discovery a facelift and will present the updated model at Frankfurt. The 2014 seven-seat Discovery has a new front end, plus more clever safety tech. It also gets intelligent stop-start to boost efficiency. The Discovery also features added safety tech and gets intelligent auto stop/start for increased fuel economy. Biggest changes include restyled LED headlight and revised front grille and bumper. For customers who take full advantage of the Discovery's off-roading abilities, they can spec wade sensors, which use SONAR to inform the driver of the depth of water they are currently in.
Read the full story here: Land Rover Discovery facelift
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