NEW PEUGEOT 508 TAKES AIM AT GERMANS

If Peugeot wants to play with the big boys, they need to continue making cars like the brand new 508 sedan. Not only will they push the unsuspecting public towards a more accepting attitude towards these fine cars, but they will also challenge the status quo. And you know what that is right?

KIA LAUNCHES ALL-ELECTRIC RAY EV

Kia has started selling the first ever Korean electric vehicle in the form of the Ray EV. The car, which emits no smoke because it doesn’t have a petrol or diesel engine, can go as far as 139km on a single charge of electricity. It’s based on something called Ray CUV, which was launched in South Korea last month.

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS HYBRIDS PREVIEWED BEFORE DETROIT 2012

Mercedes-Benz is covering all its bases by offering hybrids for the E-Class range. While its main U.S. competitor Lexus is struggling with diesels, Merc is going into a domain traditionally owned by Lexus, the hybrid. To be unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit are the E300 BlueTec Hybrid and E400 Hybrid.

MANHART V8 RS CLUBSPORT M3 FUMES FIRE!

Manhart can do amazing things with BMW engines. They’ve proven this over time and this is no different. Using a stock M3 with a 4.0-litre V8 wasn’t going to work, so they chucked it out and bolted in something new but familiar. The existing 4.4-litre V8 found in the X5 M and X6 M was just the thing.

SCHMIDT REVOLUTIONISES GOLF 5 GTI

When the Volkswagen Golf IV GTI came out it changed the game once more and revived the GTI name once again. Recently previous GTIs like the Mk4 and Mk3 did not live up to expectations, and thus Mk5 became the new legendary GTI. Tuners got onto it like flies on tripe and some are still addicted apparently.

ASMA CAYENNE TURBO SHOWN

Put aside the fact that this company could conceivably be owned by Darth Vader whose asthma is now a universal trademark. Look at how they have achieved something even scarier than Lord Vader himself, one that polarises between like and dislike.

OVER 1400 DRIVERS ARRESTED!

More than 1 400 motorists have been arrested across the country for various traffic offences since the start of the festive season. From 1 to 18 December, 1 434 motorists were arrested including 501 for drunk driving, 93 for excessive speed, 37 for reckless and/or negligent driving, 104 for overloading, 420 for  not being in possession of valid public transport permits, 16 for not being in possession of a valid driving licence, 22 for false documents and 241 for other offences.

DEVASTATING JEEP HENNESSEY HPE800 REVEALED

The Hennessey Performance factory hasn’t stopped working just because it’s the holidays. No siree, these boys from Texas live by the State’s motto: it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings. And for the moment there’s no fatter lady than this so-called HPE800 Twin Turbo.

MARVELOUS LEXUS LF-LC CONCEPT LEAKS! (OFFICIAL UPDATE)

Shame, poor Road & Track magazine, I really do feel for them. Having been given an exclusive look at the all-new Lexus LF-Lc concept car, they put it on their magazine cover, knowing by the time the car was revealed, the mag would be on shelf. Unfortunately as life in the digital space and publishing warfare goes, the cover was leaked. Probably by one of their staffers too! Lexus PR must be fuming wasabi mucus.

AUDI A1 QUATTRO BREAKS COVER!

Audi has revealed the most powerful baby hatch in its segment, the A1 quattro (lower case q). We thought it would be called the RS 1, but our thoughts were clearly off the mark. Off the mark is one apt description for this car, and you’ll know why when you read the figures later.

SECOND LEXUS TEASER REVEALS COUPE LINES

Following one from last week, a second teaser image of the upcoming Lexus Concept car has emerged from Lexus itself. While there was some speculation earlier, it has now become clearer that this is a Coupe, judging from the slanting roofline.

INDIA TO HOST DEBUT OF ALL-NEW FORD MYSTERY MODEL

Ford is to debut an all-new car at its stand during the 11th Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi next month. India is supposed to be a fast-growing car market, but it’s not growing as fast as it’s been predicted due to, among other reasons, thick red tape. Nevertheless, with an expected audience of 1.4 million during the expo, the exposure will be tremendous.

CHEVROLET SONIC RS FOR DETROIT 2012

The Chevrolet Sonic was launched in Mzansi a couple of months ago as a small hatch above the Aveo. We don’t quite see the point of selling similar-sized hatchbacks at the same time, but GM SA probably know what they are doing. Now the car has been made exciting with the announcement of the Sonic RS.

SAAB FINALLY FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Could this finally be the end for embattled Swedish brand SAAB? Following what feels like years of trying to resurrect the highly indebted motor company by various entities, SAAB’s board decided to file for bankruptcy in Sweden.