Topgear News

Global automakers are putting their hottest new products on display in Shanghai, counting on design, quality and technology to give them an edge against newcomer Chinese carmakers in the world’s fastest-growing major market.

All the big global names were in China’s biggest city for the Shanghai Auto Show, a biennial event showcasing the one-time bicycle kingdom’s newfound devotion to the motor vehicle.

“This may be the most exciting automotive market on the planet,'’ declared Eric Ridenour, Chrysler’s chief operating officer, as he announced plans to launch an updated version of the Caravan minivan and the Caliber small sport utility vehicle in the China market.

Volvo’s the S40 saloon and V50 Sportswagon will be facelifted for the 2008 model year with the first cars available in the UK from July.

More streamlined looks and enhanced versatility inside will be introduced, with an increased number of trim levels available.

Dynaudio speakers for the Premium Sound system, a new hard drive-based RTI road traffic information and satellite navigation system and a redesigned remote key fob with Auto Open and Auto Close for all side windows and sunroof on T5 and D5 models. Nordic Light Oak real wood matte inlay and Virtual White trim options are added, as are Spring Green upholstery and three new colour options… Read the rest of this article at MotorTorque here

BMW have just released pictures of their new M3, a model which is now 21years old.

It comes with a 4.0 litre V8 engine, a carbonfibre roof and a new lightweight suspension. It also comes with 18inch alloy wheels as standard, with 19 inch alloy wheels as an optional extra.

It reaches 0-60mph in just 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph, however, on average the car only does 22.8mpg.

The new BMW M3 is likely to be available in September at a cost of around £50,000.

General Motors Corp. unveiled a trio of tiny concept vehicles yesterday before the start of the New York International Auto Show, which opens to the public tomorrow and runs through April 15.

The auto maker said the cars, while unlikely to be sold in the U.S. any time soon, are intended to appeal to young drivers in big cities around the world.

GM designed its new vehicles, the Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax, at a South Korean studio specializing in small cars. The company built the Groove and Trax in Warren, Mich., and the Beat in India.

The first few pictures of the new Fiat 500 have just been released. The Fait 500 is being launched on the 4th July to mark the 50th anniversary of the car it is based on, but it won’t be released in the UK until early next year.

As part of the countdown to the launch, people were asked to submit ideas as part of the car decoration. The winning idea was a large footprint on the side of the car. It is thought this decoration and marketing ploy will be available as an optional extra when the car is released on sale.

• Chinese-made MGs to be sold in late 2007
• First new MGs in two years built last week
• Production at Longbridge to resume this month

Car buyers should see the MG brand back in Britain in the second half of this year, according to Nanjing Automobile Group, which bought MG Rover after its collapse in 2005.

The company is setting up a sales network in Europe and British Commonwealth countries to make this happen.

Nanjing Auto began rolling MG sports cars and saloons off its production plant last week, the first MGs to be built in two years.

The new Skoda Fabia Supermini goes on sale on the 17th May and Skoda have just revealed the cost of the new car - £7990.

The bottom of the range Fabia Supermini is a 1.2 litre 6v car and costs only £400 more than the old version of the car despite having new and improved technologies installed.

The new models are named 1, 2 and 3 according to the level and optional extras that you are looking for. All the new models come with front and side airbags, a height adjustable steering wheel, central locking, electric front windows, CD player and MP3 socket as standard.