Which one?

At the Geneva Motor Show, all will be revealed when Peugeot will be showing off both their GTi Concept and the XY concept, celebrating the re-generation of the legendary 208 and its development into an urban vehicle for city dwellers.

Both models have had their headlamps redesigned using full-LED technology, rectangular of course a la Peugeot, with some style changes outside, but how do they differ from each other?

First up, the GTi Concept.

This is the one that Peugeot describe as “The re-generation of a legendary icon” with its chequered-flag motifs all over the metal mesh of the grille, and the lower bar displaying the French ‘Le Tricolour’ flag or the Union Jack when in the UK, characterising the performance icon of the 208.

With its double chromed exhaust tailpipes, aero lower bodywork spoilers and lower sill skirt extensions with signature badging in the grille as a tribute to its illustrious predecessor – the legendary 205 GTi.

Inside there’s a sports red leather stitched steering wheel, head rest and gear stick, double stitching in the seats (leather and cloth) and enhanced LED backlighting to the surrounds of the high-tech instruments.

To complete the sports interior, the roof lining is entirely black and the pedals are aluminium, with the chequered-flag theme on the aluminium door crossbars.

Under the bonnet there is a powerfully-compact RCZ THP 200 engine controlled by a 6-speed manual gearbox, and the 1.6-litre THP engine accentuates the dynamic capability of this car with the small steering wheel so beloved of ‘208’ owners. To enhance the dynamic experience of the GTi Concept, it has a 36mm wider track, at the front and at the rear and, for optimum braking performance, four discs set off by red-painted brake callipers.

And then, the XY Concept.

Equipped with a 1.6-litre e-HDi engine and a 6-speed manual gearbox, the XY Concept has a Crimson colour treatment outside and special ‘Pulsion’ paintwork inside with sixteen coats of paint and lacquer (Yes! SIXTEEN!) Which means, depending on the distance and the position from which it is viewed, the interior is constantly changing. (Not too sure what that means really – that’s the manufacturer talking. Would you really want a moving car inside as well?)

The passenger compartment is trimmed with crimson stitched leather on the dashboard, armrests, steering wheel rings, gear lever gaiter and sides, and with stripes on seat inserts and floor mats, while the panoramic glass roof is edge-trimmed in black leather.

Pearly grey leather pleated seats with crimson stitching, leather covered steering wheel and panoramic glass roof finish it all off inside, before you discover the exclusive dual-effect 18” alloy wheels with yet more ‘Pulsion.’

So, a trip to Geneva will allow you to see what this is all about.

And the car isn’t moving. Honest! It’s the paint!

The Jaguar XK is renowned for quality, comfort and the WOW factor. So how could Jaguar improve on it?

Say hello to the New XK Artisan SE model that is available in both coupe and convertible forms, the latest addition to the XK Artisan SE range offering luxury quality through the introduction of hand-crafted ‘Artisan’ interiors.

Don’t expect that they come cheap but let’s have a quick look at what you can expect for your money.

Firstly, all that you’d get with a Jaguar XK including the already hand-crafted cabin, Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics system which continuously monitors the suspension and alters damping rates up to 500 times a second to ensure optimal stability and handling, and a driver selected ‘Dynamic’ mode which “works with the Adaptive Dynamics system to further increase body control while also sharpening throttle and gearshift responses.”

There’s also the six-speed automatic transmission with alternative manual control via steering-wheel mounted paddles, a seven-inch touch-screen as standard with navigation system and a range of other features, Jaguar’s Adaptive Restraint Technology System for maximum driver and passenger protection, and innovative Pedestrian Contact Sensing System which raises the bonnet in the event of contact with a pedestrian to help prevent contact with hard points under the bonnet.

Then Jaguar add a few refinements.

• ‘Scraffito’ grain leather on the seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter casings, and Poltrona Frau® leather headlinings.
• 16 x16 way heated Performance front seats, a 525W Bowers & Wilkins sound system, unique treadplates and stainless steel pedals as standard.
• A heated steering wheel and keyless entry/start.
• A choice of two Jaguar Design-specified interior colours, each available with a choice of new veneer finishes – Shadow Walnut and Dark Figured Aluminium.
• A new 20 inch wheel design.
• A choice of colours externally, including the new Celestial Black, Polaris White and Rhodium Silver exclusive to the Special Edition of the XK range,. These colours include yet more exclusivity designed by Jaguar’s design team; Navy with Jet headlining and Truffle with Canvas headlining.
• Convertible hood including Black, Blue, Grey and Brown.

Jaguar prides itself on being industry-leading in its use of aluminium technology, and both the coupe and convertible models are light weight, exceptional rigid and strong, and both have a 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 petrol engines in 385PS naturally-aspirated form.

So, how much will this little beauty set you back before you add any extras?

Deep breath and sit down.

On the road in the UK, the Coupé will give you no change from £77,350, and the Convertible £82,500.

Piggy banks at the ready! And a large hammer!

The disparate worlds of luxury motoring and classical music have been united at last as BMW today announced a new long-term partnership with The London Symphony Orchestra.

The fruits of this union are the BMW LSO Open Air Classics. A series of classical concerts performed al fresco, they promise free entertainment and life-affirmation for all in a friendly, informal atmosphere.

The first of the series of annual concerts will take place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 12 May at 6.30pm. Valery Gergiev, Principal Conductor of the LSO, will take conducting duties, with large screens flanking the stage to allow for everyone in the audience to view the action up close.

Experimental-maniac Igor Stravinsky will dominate the programme of this inaugural concert, featuring performances of the insane Firebird Suite and the heart-stopping The Rite of Spring. No less than 100 young musicians from LSO Discovery – the Orchestra’s music education and community programme – will share the stage with the LSO players for a performance of The Lite of Spring- a curious interpretation of Stravinsky’s opus by Gareth Glyn.

Valery Gergiev comments: “I congratulate the LSO and BMW on this initiative. I believe it is so important to take music beyond the concert hall. I hope that performing these great pieces in such an impressive outdoor space will encourage many new people to experience the very special sound and experience of a truly great orchestra.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, says: “This fantastic partnership will give Londoners the chance to enjoy the delight of a live orchestra for free, as well as help promote our city’s vibrant and diverse music scene to new audiences. The LSO concert is just one example of a series of feel-good, outdoor events taking place in the run up to the Olympics, creating a summer like no other.”

Sounds like rather a lot of fun, don’t you think?

Here’s to a long and fruitful relationship indeed!

Have you heard of the UK’s new Plug-in Van Grant? Open to both businesses and private buyers, it basically gives you a 20% discount on eligible plug-in vans up to a maximum value of £8,000.

Renault are pleased as punch to announce that their Kangoo Van Z.E – current International Can of the Year and the world’s first 100% electric commercial vehicle produced directly by a mass market manufacturer – is indeed eligible for the Plug-in Van Grant.

This brings the starting price down to a mighty impressive £13,592 (excluding VAT).

Now, when the discount is coupled with the amount you’ll save on fuel costs, it really does make a lot of financial sense to go green, doesn’t it?

Commenting at the official launch event in London, Transport Secretary Justine Greening (pictured) said: “Our new grant demonstrates that you can be a motorist and still be pro-environment. Cars and vans are absolutely central to people’s lives – it’s how most of us get around and for many journeys they are, and will remain, the only practical and convenient travel choice. Nevertheless climate change is a global challenge we simply have to meet head on. It cannot be ignored or side-stepped.

“The new Plug-in Van Grant – offering up to £8,000 off one of these seven innovative vans – also makes business sense as it’s been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.”

Thanks, Justine.

So. Could this be the beginning of the end of the white van man as we know it? Is he to be replaced by his more noble counterpart – the green van man?

We remember all too vividly GM’s terrifying ordeal at the beginning of the financial crisis. Indeed, as Lee Iacocca said, where GM goes so goes the nation, encompassing and idea that frightens economist and laymen alike. Many years have however passed since those dreary days and things appear to be looking up for GM. After reporting earth staggering profits, it looks like Obama’s bailout plan had worked. However, a growing number of individuals are beginning to question these numbers, many asking whether they reflect a positive growth.

Released only days ago, GM’s 2011 Net Income of $7.6 billion (or $4.58 per fully diluted share) is certainly something to celebrate. This number describes a 11 percent rise from its previous $4.7 billion (or $2.89 share) only a year before. In the fourth quarter of the 2011 year alone it made a 3 perfect climb in revenue, causing its stocks to keep rising.

Many analysts have noted that the company has made strategic investments throughout the world. Similarly, the company has launched brand new lines of cars, crossovers as well as trucks that have become quite popular in America and abroad. While the European market is unlikely to be regained, it does show a considerably positive trend.

Reporters at the Guardian have noted that GM is not the only company to see a significant rebound. Indeed, Ford and Chrysler have been both making big profits and creating many jobs throughout the US. The former made nearly $8.8bn last year and the latter an impressive $183 million in profit last month alone.

These successes have largely been linked to the controversial industry bailout under former President George Bush Jr. Providing loans in 2008, the work was than undertaken by Barack Obama. Now claiming to have killed Osama bin Laden as well as reviving General Motors, the political climate has turned into a battlefield. Indeed, the republican candidates such as Mitt Romney have slammed the bailout, creating quite a stir during a time where the political setting remains quite tense.

What we can however see is an ever growing and thriving industry, one that is at the vanguard of this economic recovery. If indeed it is true that where GM goes so does the US economy, than it looks like things will get much more stable in the upcoming years.

Head’s up: From 1 July 2012, all drivers visiting France will need to carry a breathalyser kit in their cars.

Now, before you complain about “one rule for them”, then know that this rule does indeed apply to native drivers.

What’s more, from November there will be an €11 fine for not complying with this.

And this rule will apply to everyone travelling to or through France by car. Even if it’s just for a day trip, if you haven’t a breathalyser kit in your car, then you’ll technically be breaking the law.

Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France.

It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit.

It’s not as though there aren’t already all manner of preliminary measures to take before embarking upon a motoring trip across France. It’s already a requirement that anyone driving in France is  required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Additionally UK motorists must display a GB plate and have their headlights adjusted to the right.

So, you know. Look out.

Showing off has never been a real problem for BMW because, let’s be honest, if you looked as good as their cars do, you’d be strutting about like a muster of peacocks. And a chance for display next occurs at the Geneva Motor Show 2012.

Parading both new ‘groundbreaking’ concepts as well as numerous new serial production models, BMW hope to demonstrate ‘the innovative strength of the world’s most successful premium automobile manufacturer.’ Admittedly BMW have a reputation for innovative technological sustainability in the automobile market so it’s not just empty promises, and this year they will be presenting new developments in the shape of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept in Geneva.

The BMW i brand aims to be the very first electrically powered premium vehicle, due to go on the market as early as 2013 as the BMW i3. The BMW i8, a new generation of sports car with plug-in hybrid drive concept – is likewise well on the way to serial production readiness

These, BMW hope, will offer ‘driving pleasure that arouses emotions, fascinating aesthetic appeal, premium quality and groundbreaking efficiency, characterising the model range which keeps the BMW brand on track for success in 2012’.

So, what else have they got to offer the discerning visitor to the Show?

First up is the world premiere of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, BMW’s first four-door Coupe, with its powerful engine, superior suspension technology and innovative driver assistance system,

It offers high-quality interior design with generous space  (up to 1265 litres with all seats folded down)and a high level of seating comfort. BMW’s TwinPower Turbo Technology and 8-speed sports automatic transmission that includes automatic engine start-stop function ensures pulling power and efficiency, with both 6-cylinder petrol and 6-cylinder diesel available as well as an 8-cylinder model version.

In addition to this Coupe brand, there is the new BMW M6 Coupe with its hallmark M design and acceleration capacity of 4.2 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, while its exceptional efficiency results in an average fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

This high-performance sports car also has carbon fibre reinforced plastic roof which contributes to the reduction of vehicle weight as well as shifting the centre of gravity downwards – two ways in which it optimises the agility of the 2-door model.

Both Coupes combine dynamic performance with fuel consumption reduced by over 30% in comparison to previous incarnations.

Secondly, there are the BMW M Performance automobiles, complete with BMW’s Hallmark M feeling, presented to the public for the first time in Geneva. The models BMW M550d xDrive, BMW M550d xDrive Touring, BMW X5 M50d and BMW X6 M50d are part of a whole new product category which ‘combines an exclusive range of engines and high performance with unlimited suitability for everyday use and impressive efficiency’.

This means a new diesel engine with triple turbocharger and common rail direct injection, an 8-speed sports automatic transmission, xDrive, new suspension technology and specific aerodynamic balance. For example, the BMW M550d xDrive accelerates in 4.7 seconds from zero to 100 km/h, while its average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

And then, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, which also includes a hybrid version. Again there is an 8-speed automatic transmission, BMW Head-Up Display and the innovative and inspiting BMW Lines. The 2012 Geneva Motor Show will mark the presentation of additional engines too, each with four cylinders, a capacity of 2.0 litres and BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology.

As if that isn’t enough for Sedan drivers, there’s also an M Sports package too. And, in the future, the intelligent all-wheel drive system xDrive and the BMW ActiveHybrid 3, on show in Geneva but launched in just a few months’ time.

You want more?

The new BMW 1 Series also offers new engines – including the BMW 116d Efficient Dynamics Edition, the brand’s first serial production model with a level of CO2 emissions of less than 100 grams per kilometre.

This is powered by an 85 kW/116 bhp diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology, and accelerates in 10.5 seconds from zero to 100 km/h awith an average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle of 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres. The BMW 116d EfficientDynamics Edition sets another milestone in the continuous reduction of exhaust emissions in road traffic, combining, for the first time ever, a double digit CO2 level with the driving pleasure typical of BMW models.

And then modifications in design and innovative equipment features to the new BMW X6.

More than 150,000 of the BMW X6 have been sold worldwide since its market launch, and this powerful presence is emphasised with a particularly striking design of the BMW radiator grille and a new position for the fog lights. And as of Spring 2012, the new BMW X6 will be the only vehicle within the competitive field of the BMW X models to be optionally available with adaptive LED headlights.

Looks like they’ve been a bit busy at BMW. Next stop: selling them!

Few car companies can compare with the brute strength of Porsche. A manufacturer whose name is synonymous with luxury and speed, it only recently turned to the SUV market. Since than it has led quite a prosperous life, competing rather well against long established standards. Now ready to release a new sports utility vehicle, Porsche looks like it will be breaking boundaries once more.

Several code names have been used to disguise this upcoming vehicle, most notable has been the ‘Cajun.’ Reporters at Drive Arabia have noted that several spy shots have been taken of an Audi Q5 vehicle in disguise, alleging that Porsche has been hiding something rather big.

Breaking its silence, Porsche had gone on the record as saying that it will call this new car the ‘Macan.’ Not a great deal is known about this new vehicle, however the name itself implies several dynamic words such as power, fascination as well as suppleness that the car hopes to embody in its core characteristics. This all new all terrain vehicle is keeping with the Porsche’s tradition of naming its vehicles rather than implementing a numbering system found on others.

While there still quite a bit of mystery surrounding this new vehicle, what is known is that the vehicle will be built in Porsche’s Leipzig factory in Germany. Based on company sources, the vehicle will start production in early 2013. This car is believed to be fundamental building block in Porsche’s greater “strategy 2018.” The company has openly stated that it wishes to expand its vehicle portfolio and it hopes that the A7 styled SUV will ultimately put Porsche on the top of ever more lists.

The information provided has been confirmed by the great deal of expansion currently conducted at the Leipzig factory. There is a great deal of remodelling being done with the some €500 million currently being invested in the area. Creating over 1000 new jobs, this factory will certainly be a welcomed addition to the region as well as to Porsche’s lush history.