Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio launches 2018

       Alfa Romeo signalled a statement of intent by first revealing its groundbreaking SUV in hot Quadrifoglio guise. However, while the standard petrol and diesel cars are available to order now, we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the super-quick QF version.

       Power comes from the same 2.9-litre petrol V6 twin-turbo as found in the top-spec Giulia, and with 4WD and 500bhp-plus on tap, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio promises to be a front-runner in the high-performance SUV sector. It’ll do 0-62mph in less than four seconds.

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Alfa Romeo 5 Series presents 2018

       The impressive Giulia has revived Alfa Romeo’s fortunes in the compact executive saloon sector, and now the Italian brand is looking for a similar turnaround against the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class.

       Its as-yet-unnamed four-door will use a platform developed from the Giulia’s – much as Jaguar does with the XE and XF – so it will be offered with the same engines and should deliver a similar driving experience.

       If the car lives up to the styling of our exclusive preview image, the new, larger Alfa will offer the same catwalk looks as its smaller brother, too.

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DS 7 Crossback March 2018

       With the launch of the DS 7 Crossback, the PSA Group is set to elevate the reputation of its premium brand. The newcomer uses a stretched version of the Peugeot 3008’s EMP2 platform and an Active Scan suspension system to monitor road conditions and adjust the adaptive dampers to give the smoothest ride possible.

       This Audi Q5 rival will initially be offered in a special-edition La Premiere specification that’s packed to the rafters with equipment, including two 12-inch infotainment displays, ‘Art Rubis’ leather upholstery and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

       Buyers can initially choose between a turbocharged 222bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel, both hooked up to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The petrol unit takes the DS 7 Crossback from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds and returns 39.2mpg in EU fuel tests, while the diesel promises a 9.4-second sprint and 58.8mpg. A plug-in hybrid will follow in 2019.

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The Audi A6 affirms style

     Fully autonomous driving tech is edging nearer to reality, and in a demonstration of how ‘trickle-down’ technology works with car makers, the next A6 executive saloon will showcase a suite of electronic driving aids that are shared with the recently launched A8 limo.

     Our exclusive image reflects the view that the A6 will also share its looks with the A8. As before, Avant estate and high-riding Allroad models will feature in the range, and we can expect a new RS6 Avant super-estate to top the line-up, albeit with a downsized twin-turbo V6 engine.

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Audi SQ2 appeared in 2018

      One thing missing from Audi’s Q2 crossover line-up is a hot model, but this will be rectified when the wraps come off the new SQ2, which our spies have spotted on test.

      It will feature 2.0 TFSI turbo petrol power, and is likely to match the S3 hot hatch with 306bhp. As with other S-badged Audis, quattro four-wheel drive will be standard and six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearboxes will be offered. The SQ2 will get the usual raft of subtle styling updates as well, with silver trim and larger wheels hinting at the car’s potential.

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