Toyota Hilux pricing announced (UK)

Toyota has upgraded its Toyota Hilux pickup to offer better performance, lower carbon emissions and more equipment.

Its 2.5 litre D-4D diesel engine gets a 20% increase in power and extra torque. Maximum output has been increased from 118 to 142bhp and peak torque – at 2,000rpm, is now 252lb-ft - up by 13lb-ft. Toyota has introduced a high-output turbocharger and new fuel injectors to improving throttle response and performance. To cope with the extra power, the pistons have been upgraded to a new high-strength material.

The new Hilux is due to go on sale in Spring 2010. The Hilux accelerates from 0- 62mph in 12.5 seconds - an improvement of 2.5 seconds - and emissions are now at 217g/km. Increases in Hilux's gross vehicle weights have yielded improvements in payload performance, notably for Double Cab models where capacity has increased by 35kg on the HL2 Double Cab and 25kg on the HL3 Double Cab. The high-power 3.0 litre D-4D diesel engine is now available exclusively in the Invincible Double Cab. This has carbon emissions of 219g/km.

Leather upholstery and satellite navigation with Bluetooth are now options on the Invincible, and two grey upholstery cloths have been introduced. There is also a new two-tone leather option for the Invincible.

Satellite navigation with Bluetooth is offered as an option on the HL3 Double Cab. A Sport Deck and an Urban Pack (front guard, scuff plates and front and rear parking sensors) are available for both the HL3 and Invincible Double Cabs.

Prices start at £17,380.75 for the base HL2 Single Cab, rising to £23,590.75 for the flagship Invincible model with the 3.0 litre D4-D engine.

Click here for more information.

Citroen C3 pricing announced (UK)

Citroen UK has revealed prices on the all-new C3 supermini. Bigger, quirkier and more refined than before, the new C3 supermini will start from £10,790 for the entry-level VT 1.1i petrol model.

All models will have a 5 speed manual as standard, except the 1.6 HDi 110bhp which comes with a 6 speed manual. The 1.6 VTi 120bhp can be specified with a 4 speed automatic. With co-efficient drag of Cd 0.30, fuel economy of 74mpg combined can be achieved. At 3.94m long, the new C3 is 5cm shorter than the Clio.

Your £10,790 will buy you a 1.1i 61bhp in VT trim. VT trim comes with ABS w/EBD and EBA, MP3 compatible radio/CD player w/audio controls and 6 speakers, 60:40 split folding rear seats, twin front airbags, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, front electric windows and multi-function trip computer. This engine pumps out 134g/km of CO2 with combined fuel economy of 48.7mpg. From 2011, even more efficient powertrains - as well as Citroën's second generation Stop & Start system will be presented. Two diesel engines will emit CO2 at just 90g/km and 95g/km, whilst models fitted with Citroën's new generation 3 pot petrol engines will emit less than 100g/km – replacing the 61bhp 1.1i.

Set to be the most popular trim level, VTR+ starts at £12,690. This gets you a 1.4 VTi petrol engine that produces 95bhp. Standard equipment includes VT plus a 1.35m panoramic Zenith windscreen w/sunblind and sun visors, air conditioning, 15" alloy wheels, Gear Efficiency Indicator (GEI), front fog lights, ambient interior lighting, x6 airbags, ISOFIX mountings, leather steering wheel and cruise control w/speed limiter. The 1.4 HDi 70bhp starts at £13,790.

Flagship Exclusive is priced at £15,670. The 1.6 HDi 110bhp 6 speed manual starts at £16,140. All diesels (Euro V – 1.4 HDi 70bhp, 1.6 HDi 90bhp and 110bhp) have emissions of 115g/km or less. The 1.6 litre VTi 120bhp petrol engine pollutes 158g/km with combined fuel economy of mpg. Exclusive trim adds VTR+ plus digital air-conditioning, front and rear 'one-touch' electric windows, electrically folding door mirrors, part-Alcantara upholstery, 16" alloy wheels and dark tinted rear windows.

Special edition Airdream+ adds VTR+ specification with rear parking sensors and Bluetooth® w/ USB box as standard. Powering this eco-model is a specially tuned 1.6 HDi 90bhp diesel engine with DPFS (Diesel Particulate Filter System), that returns 74.3mpg combined with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, thus making it tax-free.

Options include ESP, 10 exterior colours, 16” & 17” black diamond dipped alloy wheels – the latter offering a so-so ride on UK roads, MyWay colour satellite navigation system w/Bluetooth® and USB connectivity, 8 speaker Hi-Fi system, Visibility Pack (automatic headlights and wipers and auto-dimming rear-view mirror) and leather interior.

The large 300 litre boot outperforms the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 & Accent, Kia Rio, Chevrolet Aveo, Vauxhall/Opel Corsa, Skoda Fabia, Seat Ibiza, Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Yaris, Peugeot 207, Fiat Grande Punto/Punto Evo, Renault Clio, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Daihatsu Sirion/Subaru Justy/Perodua Myvi and Dacia Sandero. The Honda Jazz still outshines rivals with its 399 litre boot.

Gary Savage, Citroën UK's Managing Director, said, "The stylish, grown-up, yet fun Citroën C3 is impossible to confuse with any other car. Retaining the exuberant charm and friendly personality of its predecessor, the new C3 represents a bold, contemporary, dynamically rewarding and fresh approach to the compact family vehicle, and provides a unique offering with that sensational panoramic Zenith windscreen.

In these exciting times for Citroën, new models such as C3 clearly show the confidence of the brand. This new car illustrates our determination to exceed expectations, to do away with convention and to provide practical benefits through the use of Créative Technologie."

Orders are being taken now with first deliveries on the 15th January 2010.

Aston Martin Rapide pricing announced (UK/U.S)

Aston Martin's Rapide will be launched early next year, with prices starting from £139,950. A 470bhp with 600Nm version of Aston Martin's 6.0 litre V12 engine should allow it to blend supercar performance with its limousine credentials. Top speed is 188mph.

Standard UK equipment includes standard specification including: Bang & Olufsen sound system tailored specifically for Rapide, heated memory seats, dual cast brakes and Adaptive Damping System.

As Aston Martin's first production four-door sports car, the Rapide has been designed to blend extra practicality with the company's trademark sports-car dynamics.

The cars are being built at Aston Martin's Rapide factory in Graz, Austria. Each car will take around 220 hours to create. Orders are being taken now, for deliveries from April.

Across the pond however, the Rapide will start at $199,950 in the United States. The Rapide will take on the Porsche Panamera, although the Turbo variant starts at $132,600.

New Car: 2010 BMW 5 Series

BMW has unveiled pictures, prices and specifications for its all-new sixth-generation 5 Series saloon.

Some 37 years on since the first 5 Series first went on sale, the new car is set to be heralded as a technological tour de force when it launches in Europe on the 20th March. Right hand drive BMW 5 Series’ will arrive a few weeks later. BMW UK is stressing the vitally of the new model since the new E-Class is outselling the current 5 Series.

Top of the technological highlights is stop/start technology on all models and the new 8 speed automatic – a first for BMW. The 5 Series will also boast the highest level of standard specification ever while carrying over some of the key features like double wishbone suspension and a 50:50 weight distribution.

A wide range of engines will be offered with the new model, with four petrols ranging from the 201bhp 523i to the mighty 401bhp 550i. On the diesel side, initially, there will be just three models to choose from: the 182bhp 520d, the 204bhp 525d and the 242bhp 530d.

The biggest seller in the UK is expected to remain the 520d that majors in efficiency. Despite boasting a healthy 182bhp and being able to sprint to 62mph in 8.1 seconds before topping out at 141mph the 2.0 litre diesel can return 56.5mpg while emitting 132g/km of CO2. However, a eco variant of the 2.0 litre diesel engine is expected to bow at the forthcoming Geneva motorshow.

The mid-ranged 525d boasts 204bhp with a 0-62mph time of 7.2 seconds. Top speed is 147mph with combined fuel economy rated at 45.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 162g/km.

Flagship 242bhp 530d is capable of delivering 44.8mpg while emitting 166g/km of CO2. Fitted with either the new 8 speed auto or 6 speed manual, it hits the 62mph benchmark in just 6.3 seconds before topping out at a limited 155mph.

On the petrol front, there's the choice of three V6 engines. The entry-level 201bhp 523i, is the least powerful but can still sprint to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds before topping out at 148mph. At the pumps, the 523i averages 37.2mpg while emitting 177g/km of carbon dioxide.

Until the flagship M5 arrives, the 401bhp 550i petrol will be the fastest 5 Series money can buy. Thanks to its twin-turbo V8, the BMW hits 62mph 5.0 seconds before being electrically limited at 155mph. Despite its performance, the quickest 5-Series can average 27.2mpg while emitting 243g/km of CO2. To put it into context, the Mercedes E500 sedan has 387bhp mated to a 7 speed automatic gearbox. The E500 averages 26.2mpg with a CO2 rating of 265g/km.

For the first time, BMW 5 Series drivers are offered the option of Drive Dynamic Control that allows the option of four differing settings for the levels of steering assistance, throttle response, automatic gear changing ferocity and ESP intervention. All models come standard with leather upholstery and Bluetooth hands-free.

BMW also claims the new 5 Series has the longest wheelbase in its class, with a distance of 2,970mm between the front and rear wheels – which should mean good rear legroom.

New options include Park Assist that steers the BMW automatically into a car park space with the driver operating only the accelerator and brake pedals. Four-wheel Integral Active Steering can also be specified which reduces the car's turning circle by 0.5 metres. Meanwhile, the Surround View system uses cameras in the side mirrors and the front wheel arches in conjunction with Park Distance Control and the optional Reversing Assist camera to provide a 360 degree view on the iDrive display for perfect parking.

The BMW 5 Series is offered with a wealth of optional equipment to enhance safety, style and convenience.

An eight-speed automatic gearbox or an eight-speed Sport automatic transmission with Formula One-style steering wheel-mounted paddles, Variable Damper Control (VDC), adaptive drive package – Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) chassis configurator (allows for fine tuning of the chassis with the choice of Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+). Each mode changes the levels of steering assistance, throttle response, gear change characteristics, degree of Dynamic Stability Control interaction and, courtesy of adjustable dampers, the ride and handling characteristics, USB audio interface, ambient lighting, park assist, four-wheel Integral active steering, surround view system, park distance control, reversing assist camera, head-up display, night vision with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning, lane change warning, speed limit info, two rear entertainment packages, BMW navigation, BMW ConnectedDrive, 19” alloy wheels, sport seats, anthracite headlining, sport leather steering wheel, high-gloss exterior trim, adaptive headlights, xenon headlights, high-beam assist and headlight wash are all optional.

Standard equipment includes auto start/stop, optimum gearshift indicator, brake energy regeneration, low rolling resistance tyres, electric power steering with Servotronic assistance for enhanced driving dynamics and comfort, leather upholstery, BMW Professional radio, Bluetooth telephone preparation and air-conditioning.

Prices for the cheapest 520d SE kicks off at £28,165 - £625 more than the outgoing car. Before you start questioning the price tag, BMW has put in £2k worth of kit that would otherwise be optional on the ’09 5 Series saloon. Prices stretch to £50,520 for the 550i, however, the E500 sedan undercuts the Beemer by £5,010 at £45,510.

Nissan Cube pricing announced (UK)

The Nissan Cube will cost from £14,000 rising to £16,300 when it goes on sale in January 2010. At first, the car will be available with just one engine choice and in two trim levels. All cars are available with a CVT transmission which add an extra £1,200 to the OTR price.

The engine is a 108bhp 1.6 litre petrol unit, which can be hooked to a manual or CVT gearbox. This gives 42.8mpg combined and chucks out 151g/km of CO2. Renault-Nissan's 1.5 litre dCi diesel will be added to the range in May 2010. We expect this to add an extra £800 over the manual petrol model.

The basic trim level is called Cube. This will include a panoramic glass sunroof, rear privacy glass, Bluetooth and cruise control. The 1.6 CVT will cost from £15,200, £1,200 over the regular manual.

The higher Kaizen trim costs from £15,100, and adds an upgraded audio and navigation system, rear parking camera and climate control. Add another £1,200 for the CVT and you will end up paying a steep £16,300.

The first 100 Cubes will be 'LDN' special editions. Named after the London Design Museum, which heralded the original Japanese-market Cube as one of the 50 cars that changed the world. The LDN edition is finished in a special brown colour with a matching suede interior. Priced from £14,600, standard kit will include climate control, rain sensing wipers and automatic headlamps. The optional CVT can be specified for £1,200.

As with the Mini range, Kia Soul and Fiat 500, Nissan will offer customers numerous personalisation options for their Cube, including exterior graphics.

Nissan has predicted relatively low sales of just 2,000 Cubes a year in the UK.

Renault causes some serious uproar (FR)

Renault's decision to call it electric supermini Zoe has caused pandemonium in France.

Press report suggested that parents of children named Zoe have flooded the company with complaints and launched online petitions demanding the name be changed.

"Our daughters have a beautiful first name that must not be associated with a car, so let us unite to bring pressure on a multinational which is going to destroy this pretty name for a children," says a petition launched by Sebastien Mortreus, from Auby.

"It's a scandal that they are able to use common first names for products." Zoe is the 17th favourite girls name for newborns in France but Renault is unimpressed by the arguments and is sticking with the moniker.

"It is a name that evokes values of femininity, of youth, a playful spirit and vivacity..". "It is also a reference to the concept of zero emissions."

Originally, the Zoe concept was a concept car with 3 seats that hinted at the current Twingo city-car. The forthcoming Zoe electric car will arrive in 2012.

Volkswagen Polo named 'Car of the Year 2010'

Volkswagen's fifth-generation Polo has won the desirable 'Car of the Year' award for 2010 with 347 points, against 337 for the Toyota iQ which came in second. The new Vauxhall/Opel Astra - a favourite to win and continue GM’s success with the Insignia that won the 2009 title, finished in third place receiving 221 points.

The other finalists for this year's competition, which brings together a total of 59 motoring journalists from 23 European countries, were the Skoda Yeti with 158 points, the Mercedes E-Class with 155 points, the Peugeot 3008 with 144 points and the Citroen C3 Picasso with 113 points.

Car of the Year 2010:

1. Volkswagen Polo - 347 points

2. Toyota iQ - 337 points

3. Vauxhal/Opell Astra - 221 points

4. Skoda Yeti - 158 points

5. Mercedes E-Class - 155 points

6. Peugeot 3008 - 144 points

7. Citroen C3 Picasso - 113 points