Cactus loses its spikes

Citroën have lost the pair they grew with the revised C4 Cactus.

The future’s bright for Lotus

A glimmer of hope in East Anglia.

MALAYSIAN car firm Proton Holdings, have been struggling for some time now. But their future has been secured after a takeover by the Geely Group this week. Which in turn, should be great news for Lotus Cars – who are owned by Proton.

Proton have been struggling due to a major decline in sales. Consequently, this has meant Lotus has been starved from investment into research, development, and with limited resources into making new and exciting sports and performance cars. Meaning funds were drying up for the Norfolk-based company.

With the hands-off treatment of Volvo – along with millions invested into the Swedish marque, and let them do what they do best. In return, they have enjoyed a successful renaissance under Geely. If there is anything to go by given how things have panned out for Volvo. There should be plenty of cause of optimism for Lotus.

Fifth Gear no more?

It's end of the road according to Tiff Needell...

Focus RS is a long-awaited Fast Ford

Ford fanatics will rejoice themselves. The latest Fast Ford...the Focus RS. 

Vauxhall makes five million at Ellesmere Port

Vauxhall celebrates a milestone, as the five-millionth car rolled off the production line at the Ellesmere Port plant.

Nissan Qashqai reaches two million mark

NISSAN have announced that the two millionth Qashqai has rolled off the production line in Sunderland this week.

The Qashqai has been the goose that laid the golden egg for Nissan. Launched seven years ago back in 2007 and now into its second generation.

The Japanese manufacturer so far, has made over 2.5 million Qashqais. At the current rate, one fully completed Qashqai rolls off the production line every minute.

This makes Nissan's crossover the fastest selling British built car of all time. Surpassing the new MINI, of which they’ve made the 2.5 million cars rolling off the production line in the space of 10 years from the Cowley plant in Oxford.

It’s an understatement in saying that the Qashqai has been a huge triumph for Nissan. It also kick started the new niche of SUV-cum-hatchback crossover cars. The popularity of them, which many manufacturers soon cottoned onto it, and have made their own imitations of the Qashqai.

With high demand for the Qashqai, which in turn has created more jobs at the Sunderland plant. Helping people keep their jobs as well as create more in the North East. Furthermore, helping the country’s economy. It's also a triumph for Britain’s car industry, and Nissan Manufacturing United Kingdom (NMUK) is an assett to the nation.

Another new MINI...and it has five doors

Arguably the most sensible offering in the MINI line-up. The standard MINI hatchback will be available for the first time with five doors.

New sketches of the Audi TT

Audi have revealed sketches of their third generation sports coupe.

Renault go back to its roots

Going backwards to go forward with the new Twingo?

Lancia being phased out

Fiat have decided to pull the plug on Lancia in Europe, but will remain in Italy.

Fiat takes control of Chrysler

BEFORE Fiat struck the deal of buying Chrysler, they already obtained a stake in them with a 59.5% share of the company. They completed its takeover of Chrysler yesterday, and bought remaining shares of the US firm for around £2.2billion. 

Fiat will also have less pressure on having to be as reliant on the European markets. Which is where they've also been struggling in recent years. Chrysler through, have been making profits across the pond in America.

But with Fiat's ownership of Chrysler, it also means they can draw on technology and resources for developing and building future models. What also comes with buying out Chrysler, is that Fiat also own the Dodge and Jeep brands as well. Prior to that, Fiat have: Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth and Maserati in their stable.

It will be interesting to see how this all pans out...

Bye bye Chevrolet

GENERAL MOTORS will be pulling the plug on Chevrolet in Europe, which is to be expected by 2015. 

GM's vice chairman, Stephen Girsky, believes that the US giants should concentrate on the Opel and Vauxhall brands in Europe as there's "growing confidence in the Vauxhall and Opel brands in Europe".

It has been widely speculated that GM's association with the PSA Group has influenced their decision on axing the Chevrolet brand in Europe. Girsky has stated that the decision GM made was "independent of the PSA relationship".

Despite GM throwing the towel on Chevrolet, they will continue to sell cars like the Corvette and possibly the Camaro in Europe. The re-badged Daewoos and South Korean built cars will no longer be sold there.

Ford Ka goes Konventional

Ford's new city car is a radical departure from its predecessors. All in favour of something rather more ordinary.

Peugeot 208 R gets the go ahead

PEUGEOT have confirmed that they will be making a more extreme 208. Sitting above the GTi. That might explain on why some found the GTi (pictured) rather tame or too understated for their liking.

For those who'd like their curry a bit spicier and with a bit of a kick to it. Peugeot are adding some chillies to the recipe.

Peugeot's CEO, Maxime Picat has confirmed that the 208 R has been given the green light. He said: "Above the 208 GTI, we will soon have an even sportier 208 R, which is a good example of what we would like to add to top the 308 range".

The 208 R is expected to be lighter and more powerful than the GTi that it's likely to be based on. Not only to increase performance, but also to emphasise on handling prowess. Something that fast Pugs of old were known and loved for.

After the 308 R concept, the RCZ R, and now the 208 getting the rough edge with the R treatment. It's definitely something for Peugeot fans to get excited about.

Nissan GT-R going green

NISSAN announced the next generation GT-R will be a hybrid. Besides using electricity to reduce emissions, but also to boost performance.

Andy Palmer, Nissan's sales, engineering and marketing boss, believes that environmentally friendly cars needn't be boring.

Palmer said: “There is an inevitability about electrification of all cars in the future, and there is the very real prospect of enhancements coming from it on a sports car like the Nissan GT-R.

“The electric systems can fill in the gaps in the torque curve and offer genuine performance gains, as well as lowering emissions. It’s a win-win, and I’d expect to see some form of hybridisation on the next generation of car.”

The current GT-R has been around for while now as it arrived in late 2007. Still, it's a seriously fast car and has already set a high benchmark. A four-wheel-drive performance car; powered by a twin-turbo 3.8 litre V6, that pumps out 545bhp with 463lb ft of torque. That gets the GT-R to 60mph in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it 2.9 seconds. That's quick by anyone's standards.

Nissan are no stranger to making electrically powered cars as seen with the boring Leaf. But the next generation GT-R is aiming to be a car that's fast, fun, exciting and kinder to the planet. The current GT-R is due to be replaced in 2015.

New Jaguar F-Type coupe

JAGUAR have officially released a teaser shot of the new F-Type coupe. But they will be unveiling the car at the LA Motor Show later this month.

The new addition to the F-Type range, is said to be more driver-focused than its open top sibling thanks to its tin top roof. Which not only makes the car lighter than the convertible, but also makes it stiffer. That's already a starting point there.

Engine-wise, it's pretty much certain that Jaguar's new coupe will be powered by the same range of engines as those found in the F-Type convertible. With V6, V6S and V8 and engines expected to be under the bonnet of the hard top F-Type. Jaguar also have some more powerful F-Types in the pipeline. With quicker and track-focused models such as the R, R-S and GT models.

The stunning F-Type convertible has gone down a storm and has a huge wow factor about it. I expect the hard top to go down well too and get a warm reception.

Arrivals of the new model are due to arrive in the showrooms next year. Excited much?

The buzz of the Dacia Sandero

James May's not alone here. There's a lot of excited chaps over the Dacia Sandero coming to British soil.

Mondeo man can look like James Bond

No, your eyes are not decieving you, as you would be forgiven for thinking it was an Aston Martin. Believe it or not, this is the all new Ford Mondeo. 

2012 Paris Motor Show

Unfortunately, Definitely Motoring wasn't at this year's Paris Motor Show. Thanks to Honest John, he has made a video with some highlights of the show and some cars on display. Go and see for yourself! What was your favourite cars at the event?

New Civic Type-R on the horizon!

Honda has high aims for their new Hot Hatch…