Advertising should attract attention but you can go too far. In a new advert on TV, Volkswagen shows a man who kills himself simply because he didn't get to own the new Scirocco.

The main character in the British Volkswagen commercial has lost everything. At the casino, he put his money on black and red came up. He moved into gold just as the clever money moved out, and now he's ruined both financially and mentally. He decides to end his miserable life.

That's a summary of the storyline of a new VW Scirocco commercial broadcast on the famous British motoring magazine show Top Gear. The message is clear: if only the man had waited for the launch of the new Scirocco, things would have gone better and he wouldn't have topped himself. To quote from their ad: "Life is not so bad!" The producers of the commercial think that their work is plain and straightforward. Tasteless and provocative, say many British viewers about the depiction of suicide on screen. Find out for yourself. Take a look at the new Scirocco TV clip. Should something like this be broadcast? Top Gear presenter and humorist Jeremy Clarkson seems to think so...

Permalink | Email this | Comments

From November, the West Midlands constabulary will be setting an example to us all in terms of eco-friendly motoring when they become the first police force in the UK to send their officers out on patrol in the MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle). According to Mitsubishi, this electric motor on wheels was a huge hit at the National Police Show staged in September. The crime-busting version of the MiEV reaches a top speed of 80mph (130 km/h) and can cover a patrol beat of 100 miles before needing a recharge. So the bobbies should be well equipped for hot pursuits through the pedestrian zones in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry.

What initially may sound like a joke is in fact part of the Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator project with which Mitsubishi hope to woo the British public for its progressive e-class. The Japanese manufacturer has already seen the first fruits of its campaign, with the MiEV being acclaimed as Electric Vehicle of the Year in the 2009 GreenFleet Awards.

Gallery: Mitsubishi MiEF - UK Police Edition

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gallery: VW Polo

Continue reading The new VW Polo

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Indian manufacturer Tata Motors Ltd, who bought the legendary British marques Jaguar and Land Rover for 2.4 billion US dollars in 2008, have just announced that they will shut at least one of their factories in England by 2014. The manufacturing plant in Castle Bromwich, where 2,100 workers currently build Jaguars, and the neighbouring former Rover factory in Solihull near Birmingham, where 5,000 are employed in the production of the Land Rover, are under threat. Tata spokesman Paul Chadderton disclosed that 800 new jobs would be created at the Halewood plant near Liverpool to produce the new Range Rover LRX.

The three factories are running at only 60% capacity due to a decline in orders. Since September 2008, around 2,500 employees have already lost their jobs. The final decision as to which factory will close will be taken early next year.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Goodwood Revival is a nostalgic trip back to the 1950s and 1960s. Between 18th and 20th September, 134,000 people turned up at the West Sussex estate of the Earl of March to enjoy this annual festival. The event is to racing drivers what Wimbledon is to tennis players and Ascot to jockeys. Although competitive races are no longer staged at Goodwood, no other motorsport venue can compare for razzamatazz or eccentricity.

The Revival ranks alongside the Le Mans Classic and the Mille Miglia in the racing panoply. It's not just the more than 400 racing cars from the 1948 to 1966 era that make this is a star occasion but the visitors themselves. Many of them turn up in period costume consisting of Tweed jackets, knickerbockers, cocktail dresses, petticoats and - in particular - hats from the Fifties and Sixties.

Gallery: Goodwood Revival 2009

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Elegance and comfort will become the hallmark of the new Vauxhall Astra. The tenth generation Astra is 17cm longer, and, at 4.42 Meter it is now considerably longer than its Wolfsburg competitor and is almost as big as a VW Passat. This 5-door-Golf competitor can be seen for the first time at the IAA in Frankfurt from the 19th-27th September. The Astra will have a wheel base, which is seven centimetres longer, a wider track and a new chassis. As an option, the electronic FlexRide system with three settings is offered: Standard, Sport und Touring. It adjusts the damper settings continually to your driving style and the speed at which you corner. Amongst other innovations, which the Astra adopts from the Insignia are: the next generation xenon lights, AFL+ (Advanced Forward Lighting), having nine different settings, which adjust intensity and range to suit road conditions. Likewise taken from the Insignia, 'traffic sign recognition' gives a warning, should you change lanes by mistake. These items are, of course, only available as extras.

The Astra has also had a make-over on the inside. A wide curved section extending out from the crescent-shaped dashboard cocoons driver and passenger. The mid-section console then runs down from there to meet the gear lever at a shallow angle of 30 degrees, which entirely befits its flowing silhouette and the sporty look of this Golf adversary. The cockpit colours Spice Red and Ocean Blue are new additions to the interior and complement the black base colour available in all levels of trim.

Gallery: Vauxhall Astra

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gallery: Alfa Romeo MiTo Jeans

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dany T. Bahar has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the British sports car manufacturer, Lotus, effective from1st October 2009. He replaces Michael J Kimberley, who retired in July. Bahar was formerly Senior Vice President at Ferrari. In his role with Ferrari, Bahar was responsible for worldwide sales and after-sales, all marketing activities, including Formula1, as well as licensing, and merchandising. Bahar, who is Swiss, worked previously as an executive for drinks giant, Red Bull.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gallery: Mini Coupe Concept

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Here it is - the new big cat. First impressions confirm that Jaguar have taken a giant leap into the 21st century. The front looks fabulous, and when you go round the back, you will barely believe your eyes. The Jaguar XJ is like an untamed beast, poised for attack. Head of Design Ian Callum, who also drew the XF, can be well satisfied with his latest offspring.

The world premiere of the new Jag was compèred by Jay Leno. The American comedian and chat show host, who has a worldwide reputation as an auto freak and collector of classic cars, carried off the occasion with his usual wit and aplomb. According to Leno, the Jaguar is a "sexy car". You can see photos from the launch in the gallery below.

Gallery: Launch: 2010 Jaguar XJ

Gallery: Jay Leno & Jaguar XJ

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Jaguar XJ was first launched onto the market in 1968. Now it's not just Jaguar fans who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new model. Today, 9th July, the car is being presented to the press and public for the first time. You also have the opportunity to sign a purchase order for delivery in early 2010. The new version has little in common with the typical 1968 Jaguar look, though certain features have been carried across. The new Jag is to have aluminium bodywork, a luxury so far only available from Audi. In a few more hours, all will be revealed...

Gallery: 2010 Jaguar XJ

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The final day at Goodwood once again provided some spectacular sights. Jubilees and centenaries were also prominent on the agenda, with Bugatti, Audi, Morgan, Mini and the Daytona International Speedway all celebrating one round-numbered birthday or another. The remarkable aspect of this event staged in the grounds of the stately home of Goodwood is the proximity of the fans who have free access to the paddock where they can get up close to their two-legged (and four-wheeled) idols. We've compiled a third photo gallery for anyone who missed out on Sunday's action.

Gallery: 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Sunday

Gallery: Goodwood Festival of Speed Art Sculptures

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Many motor manufacturers are taking the opportunity of the Goodwood Festival of Speed to showcase both their current and their classic models. And there are also plenty of driver celebrities on the invitation list: Jackie Stewart, Mick Doohan, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastien Loeb, Jackie Ickx, Eddie Irvine and Stirling Moss are just a few of the big names expected to attend. We have put together some pictures from the second day of the festival in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Saturday

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The crème de la crème of motor racing will be attending an event to be held at the traditional home of the sport over the weekend of 3rd - 5th July. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a jamboree for racing drivers and their cars, both classic and modern. We'll be dropping in there on each of the three days and presenting the four-wheeled stars of the show in our extensive photo galleries. Starting with today...

Gallery: 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Friday

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Festival of Speed is to be regarded more as a tribute to motorsport than as a serious race, even though this forms the backdrop to the whole occasion. It is perhaps best described as a cross between the Monaco Grand Prix and Royal Ascot. Over the weekend of the 3rd to 5th July, the Earl of March will play host to the 17th such event at his Goodwood Park estate. This year's special theme is 'True Grit - Epic Feats of Endurance'.

At the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed, main sponsor Mercedes-Benz will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Silver Arrows. The Mercedes-Benz museum will be sending across several original Grand Prix racing cars from its collection. These will include the W 25 which Manfred von Brauchitsch drove in the 1934 Eifel Race and last year's McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23 in which Lewis Hamilton won the F1 World Championship. Goodwood is one of the finest celebrations of motorsport heritage, indeed of motorsport in general, as you can see for yourself from the highlights of last year's show in the gallery below.

Gallery: Goodwood Festival of Speed 2008

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gallery: Ford Fiesta

Permalink | Email this | Comments