News In Brief

New Porsche Cayman rival....and more

German firm reveals Cayman rival, London gridlock warning, Italian styling house turns electric....and more.

Auto Express Car Reviews

16th May 2008

Artega sets sights on Cayman as stunning V6 coupé comes to UK
It's Porsche’s worst nightmare! German brand Artega plans to take on the Cayman when production of its GT begins later this summer. Bosses have announced they will launch a right-hand-drive version of the car next year, powered by a mid-mounted 300bhp 3.6-litre V6 mated to a six-speed twin-clutch gearbox. The £50,000 small coupé was unveiled as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007.

CC hike ‘to cause city car gridlock’
The £25 congestion charge might increase traffic on London’s streets, as owners of high-emissions vehicles switch to cheaper-to-run city cars, argue campaigners at Clean Green Cars. Among other measures, CGC is calling on London Mayor Boris Johnson to lower the top levy, set to start in October, to £12.

Pininfarina joins electric charge
The planet can breathe a little easier – Pininfarina’s electric car is going into production. The Italian design house promises a 150-mile range for the £10,000 vehicle. After debuting at October’s Paris Motor Show, the stylish concept will appear in production form at the Geneva expo next spring.

Hire power wins over car buyers
Motorists are more likely to buy a particular car if they have rented it, according to hire firm Avis. It claims 44 per cent of the customers it surveyed were more likely to add a vehicle they had recently rented to their shortlist for a new model, because their perceptions of it had improved.