Autoblog UK

The VW Polo took the Golden Steering Wheel award in the small car category. The VW Polo has been around since 1975. The mark 5 version of Volkswagen's small car was launched in 2009. The Polo is available as a 3 or 5 door hatchback saloon. In its original form, it was sparsely equipped. The Polo is now much bigger than the first model. Visually, the new Polo with its broad C-pillars suggesting sturdiness and its wide stance, takes its cues from the current VW Golf. The Polo beat off the following cars: Ford Ka, Suzuki Alto, Hyundai i20, Toyota iQ, Citroen C2 und Nissan Pixo.

Mattias Ekström reigns supreme. In the final of the Race of Champions tournament at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, the Swedish DTM driver defeated seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher 2-0. After finishing behind him in 2007, Schumacher lost for the second time in the final against Ekström. The 31-year-old Swede had his first win in 2006 at the Stade de France in Paris and then won again the following year at London's Wembley Stadium. In the semi-final scrap between the two German drivers, Schumacher came home ahead of Sebastian Vettel, with whom he had clinched the Nations Cup on the previous day. In the second semi-final, Ekström defeated reigning Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

At the SEMA convention in Las Vegas, one vehicle in particular is attracting a lot of attention: the TRAX Subaru WRX STI. This automotive creation, the brainchild of artist and snowboard virtuoso Ken Block, is making its public debut in Las Vegas.

Responsible for the actual construction work are rally experts Vermont Sportscar. The WRX STI comes equipped with a set of special EXE-TC Group N shock absorbers, a modified 400bhp 2.5L four-cylinder boxer engine and a KAPS five-speed automatic gearbox. Particularly eye-catching are the four snow-cat tracks in place of wheels. These turn the TRAX WRX STI into an awe-inspiring apparition capable of undreamt-of performance, even on the toughest terrain. And as a sort of bonus, this Subaru comes with a sort of sleigh in tow, the ideal solution for a family snowboarding trip.

At motor shows around the world, exhibitors have recently vied with each other to present an image of modesty. Not so in the US gambling mecca of Las Vegas where the biggest names in auto tuning are currently flexing their muscles at the SEMA convention (3rd - 6th November). The American tuning and accessories industry had a turnover of over $30bn last year, a trend that looks set to continue. The abbreviation SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association. Trade representatives from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the event which is being held on 180,000 square metres of exhibition space.

There are around 2,000 exclusive models on display. This show has the lot, from beefed-up muscle cars and pick-ups to show cars and the full gamut of tuning components. To nobody's surprise, the Mustang once again registers as the most 'pimped' vehicle, with no fewer than eight different versions of the sports car on display. Probably the most interesting of these comes from the Ford Racing Team, who are producing the Mustang Cobra Jet in a limited edition of fifty units. Every single one of the 2010 version has been sold already, so a wistful glance at the gallery below will have to suffice.

The Tokyo Motor Show has always been different from the rest. This applies to the vehicles on parade and to the visitors in equal measure. Basically, the Japanese and the Europeans have divergent tastes. They read manga comics (by preference to Donald Duck), are mad about electronic gadgetry and drive cars that we would consider shoe boxes on wheels.

This became clear from the concept cars exhibited by the national automotive industry, which effectively turned it into a design Disneyland. There was hardly a serious idea on display with any future prospect of realisation. The Toyota FT-86 will certainly grace the landscape as the next generation Celica. But virtually all the other show models have no chance at all of ever making it onto the road.

From 3rd to 6th November, the US Tuning Elite are convening at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Jay Leno is a popular TV star (Jay Leno Show) in America and an avid car collector. His specially tuned Camaro can be seen at the SEMA Show. This racer is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6L direct injected V6, pumping out around 425bhp. Of course, the Leno Camaro has also had a visual makeover in the guise of a new front spoiler with integrated air intakes for brakes and a bonnet lid sporting huge air vents.

Carbon-fibre bodywork has the benefit of being lightweight but also works out rather expensive. That's why the material has so far been generally reserved for racing cars. Carbon-fibre components have played a vital role in helping Formula One teams keep their cars both light and stable. Nonetheless, the material has yet to prove its suitability for series production, as it is considered too expensive, too difficult to shape properly and too problematic to repair if damaged in an accident. For their part, however, BMW are convinced that they can make a go of it. The Munich-based carmaker has plans to use carbon fibre on a large scale in future vehicle production. In particular, they see it as perfect for use in a new generation of low-emission urban runabouts. BMW have got together with carbon specialists SGL Group from Wiesbaden to set up a joint venture for the production and processing of this super-light compound for the automotive industry.

The grand finale to the 2009 Formula One series did great credit to the organisers in Abu Dhabi and to the victorious Red Bull team. In the futuristic setting of the Yas Marina Circuit, Sebastian Vettel claimed his fourth win of the year and finished runner-up in the drivers' championship. Following the retirement of pole-sitter and race favourite Lewis Hamilton, Vettel's victory was never in any doubt. Team-mate Mark Webber held off a determined attack by Jenson Button over the last couple of laps to make it the second one-two victory for Red Bull of the season. Button had to settle for the third spot on the podium but was at least able to celebrate in style the title that he had already secured in the penultimate race in Brazil.

The new Audi A8 is awaited with bated breath. Due to arrive in the showrooms in January 2010, it is reputed to combine the dynamics of a BMW 7 series with the comfort of a Mercedes S-Class. Like other models in the Audi stable, the A8 will be equipped with Drive Select for the electronic control system, including pneumatic suspension. The new range of engines are claimed to reduce fuel consumption by 15 percent. The price of this luxury Audi has been set at 65,000 euros (£60,000). The newcomer was spotted performing a circuit of the Nürburgring in mufti. See photo gallery below for the candid camera pics.

We have already been given some hints about the storyline for the sequel to the 3D animated film 'Cars'. Lightning McQueen, his pit crew and new chief mechanic Mater travel round the world to five different venues for the Race of Champions. The countries visited are Japan, Germany, Italy, France (24-hour race) and England (London, to be more precise). In a case of mistaken identity, Mater saves the life of British secret agent Aston Martin (alias Finn McMissile) and is drawn into the exciting world of espionage. Below is another gallery of Cars-style vehicles.

Pixar CARS : new models