Although Citroen didn’t use the word ‘crossover’ in today’s (August 30, 2010) press release, it’s obvious that’s what the new DS4 is. The second model in Citroen’s reinvented DS line will be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show next month, alongside the car it’s based on, the new Citroen C4.

The DS4 trades on its striking styling. While obviously from the same school of design as the five-door C4 hatchback, the DS model has a higher ride height and features more extravagant detailing. Standout aspects include the Alfa Romeo-esque hidden rear door handles and curved LED daytime running lights.

Inside, Citroen’s designers have been given a free rein to distance the DS4 from the C4, with more premium materials as standard, a high level of equipment

The latest Sportec upgrade to be offered in the UK is a so-called Stage One power boost for the supercharged Audi S5 coup and Cabriolet.

The Swiss tuners have come up with a free-flowing air filter and comprehensive ECU remap. The result is a claimed 97bhp power increase, taking the S5 to 425bhp. Torque is up too, from 325- to 379lb.ft with at least 80 percent of that figure available between 2,750- and 6,250rpm.

Sportec claims that the package cuts half a second from the 0-62mph time; it’s now 4.6 seconds. Thanks to the broad spread of torque in-gear flexibility is said to be improved too.

The British supplier for Sportec, APS of Brackley, offers the Stage one Package for 1,950 fitted.

John Lambert

Reviews homepage -> Caterham reviews

| First Drive | Kent and Surrey, England | Caterham Superlight R400 |

It’s been a while since we’ve driven a Caterham and the same old thing happened: a tense meeting was followed by a period of contemplation and the rest of the time absolutely revelling in it. If you like driving then you’ll like Caterhams. And the Superlight R400 is one of the very best.

In the Metal

There’s not much of it. The average Caterham weighs well under half that of a conventional car – even a light one. Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS – the lightweight one remember – tips the scales at 1,370kg. A porker indeed… The Caterham Superlight R400 is just 515kg. It looks

Renault introduced its new Latitude family car at the Moscow Motor Show this week. The Skoda Superb rival will go on sale in Russia this autumn and then in Asia, Africa, Turkey, Australia and Mexico before making its European debut at the Paris Motor Show in September. It is expected that a European version will go on sale shortly afterwards, though no announcement has been made about an introduction into the British market.

Longer and wider than the Skoda Superb, this new car will boast high levels of specification, including bi-xenon headlights and LED rear lamps. Inside there will be luxuries such as a dual-mode air ionizer with double fragrance diffuser, triple-zone climate control, a massaging driver’s seat, Bose Premium audio and hands free entry.

There is no word

Peugeot has revealed what it claims is the industry’s first full hybrid with diesel power, the 3008 HYbrid4. It boasts official fuel consumption of 74.4mpg and CO₂ emissions of 99g/km.

The drive system uses Peugeot’s 163bhp, 2.0-litre HDi turbodiesel engine, which drives through a six-speed automated manual gearbox to power the front wheels. Drive to the rear wheels comes from a 37bhp electric motor.

The hybrid transmission has four modes of operation, controlled by a selector on the centre console. Auto is designed to allow the drive system to operate for ‘optimal fuel consumption’. ZEV is the zero-emissions mode, which means the 3008 runs on battery power unless strong acceleration is required; Four-wheel drive uses both diesel and electric motors together for improved low-speed traction on difficult surfaces;