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The new Polo GTI has been unveiled, promising to be the fastest, most focussed and cleanest performance Polo yet produced. The original performance variant of the Polo was unveiled in 1986 in the form of the G40 Coupé – a car that mixed a fast-revving, 113 PS, supercharged engine with a low kerbweight and sharpened responses. Fast forward 24 years and the new Polo GTI bears similarities with the G40.  At its heart is a 1.4-litre TSI engine that uses a supercharger from idle through to 3,000 rpm at which point the turbocharger cuts in to provide boost.  The result is an output of 180 PS at 6,200 rpm and 184 lbs ft of torque from 2,000 rpm which, when aligned with a 1,184 kg kerbweight, allows the Polo GTI to accelerate from rest to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 142 mph.

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The multi-award winning Skoda Superb range is now even more desirable thanks to the addition of the new 2.0 TDI CR 140bhp DPF. By incorporating the very latest Common Rail diesel technology, this new model is even more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly than the 2.0 TDI PD 140bhp it replaces. Combined fuel consumption has improved by 4.4mpg and is now an outstanding 52.3mpg, while CO2 emissions have been reduced by 12g/km to just 143g/km. The standard diesel particulate filter (DPF) also ensures compliance with the latest EU5 emissions regulations. The use of a single, high-pressure fuel rail and a lower compression ratio has the added benefit of making the Superb even more refined than ever.

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The Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley’s supercar range, following the introduction of the Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible. The inspiration for the ‘Supersports’ name is the 1925 Bentley Supersports, a race-bred version of the iconic Bentley 3-litre, that delivered 85bhp when more ordinary cars were equipped with a modest 15bhp. It was also the first production car to reach 100mph – extreme performance in its day.

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The all-new Touareg has been unveiled – a car which is up to 200 kg lighter and up to 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the model it replaces.  It’s sharper, cleaner and yet, in Hybrid form, able to out-accelerate many hot hatches while returning 34 mpg on the combined cycle.  The new vehicle maintains all the same virtues of space, comfort, refinement and off-road and towing ability that have led the original Touareg to build up a loyal following since its launch in 2003. Clean new styling which draws inspiration from the design direction established by the Golf Mk VI, the new Polo and the New Compact Coupé concept lends the new Touareg greater presence and a lower drag coefficient without sacrificing the functional requirements of short front and rear overhangs for off-roading.

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Audi has shrink-wrapped everything it stands for to create the new A1, a more compact and city-friendly three-door premium hatchback that delivers all the celebrated quality, design flair and engineering acumen synonymous with Vorsprung durch Technik in a more concentrated form. The A1 is set to make its World debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will be available to order in the UK from May for late 2010 deliveries. Closely following the look of 2007′ s critically acclaimed Audi A1 project quattro design study, the production-ready A1 distils the essence of Audi into a sleek, streamlined body with an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.32 which occupies a road ‘footprint’  of less than four metres, without sacrificing space for four adults and their luggage.

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SEAT is continuing its relentless 2010 new product offensive with another stylish and svelte newcomer to the Ibiza range. The Ibiza ST is the third silhouette to join the Spaniards’ supermini line-up and significantly expands SEAT’s presence in this important market segment. The new arrival from Martorell debuts with no fewer than five modern engines and an extensive array of equipment and new technologies. SEAT’s renowned design team, led by Luc Donckerwolke, has taken the highly functional concept of the Ibiza ST and clad it in the Spanish brand’s unique design language.  Despite the estate layout and generous load capacity the newcomer retains the youthful, sporty character of the rest of the Ibiza range.

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As the first examples of the scalp-bronzing Audi R8 Spyder head for the UK to enliven spring 2010, two rather more knuckle-whitening versions of the celebrated Audi supercar are preparing to compete in the 2010 FIA GT3 European Championships in the hands of a new home-grown racing team. The latest R8 road car is based on the 525PS, 5.2-litre FSI model, but features a bespoke body incorporating additional weight-saving carbon fibre composite panels as well as the all-important fully automatic lightweight fabric hood. Good for a 4.1-second 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 197mph, the R8 Spyder is available to order in the UK now in six-speed manual and six-speed R tronic automated manual forms priced at £111,955 OTR and £117,155 OTR.

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With its fourth-generation Haldex clutch four-wheel drive, the new Skoda Superb Estate 4×4 offers award winning comfort and safety, whatever the weather. Available with 1.8 TSI 160bhp and 3.6 V6 260bhp petrol engines as well as the 2.0 TDI CR 170bhp diesel, the Superb Estate 4×4 can tackle the sort of slippery conditions that would leave its two-wheel drive competitors stranded.  The system transfers torque to whichever wheels have the most traction by taking signals from the ABS sensors, greatly increasing driving safety in the type of snowy and icy conditions that have gripped the UK this winter.

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Continuing the relentless product offensive that in 2009 helped SEAT to an all-time record UK market share of 1.50% (source: SMMT) the sporty Spanish car maker is starting 2010 with yet more exciting new models. First among these and sure to pique the interest of style- and cost-conscious drivers alike comes an important addition to the Ibiza range in the shape of the Ibiza FR TDI, available in either sporty SC or practical 5dr bodystyles with prices starting at just £16,465 RRP. Available to order now at SEAT dealerships nationwide with deliveries set to begin in March, the diesel-powered extension to the already impressive Ibiza FR offering underlines SEAT’s commitment to the burgeoning diesel hot hatch class.

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Audi is showing an uncompromising purist compact sports car with all-electric drive at the first major auto show of 2010. The Detroit showcar Audi e-tron is the name of this 3.93 metre long and 1.78 metre wide but just 1.22 metre tall two-seater; just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is now the second electric concept vehicle from the brand with the four rings. Coupled with the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron’s low gross weight of around only 1,350 kilograms, high-torque power units driving the rear wheels guarantee commensurate road performance. Two electric motors with a combined output of 204PS and 2,650 Nm (1954.54 lb-ft) accelerate the coupe with ASF-design aluminium body from 0 to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds. The Audi e-tron accomplishes the sprint from 37mph to 75mph (60 to 120 km/h) in a mere 5.1 seconds.

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