M14 X Russian Radial Engine on 2040-parts.com

Smart: the best concepts and special editions

By James Clark Motoring Issues 18 July 2014 11:24 As Smart lifts the lid on the new ForTwo and ForFour this week, CAR magazine looks back on wonderful, wacky and downright woeful Smart special editions and concepts that have been created since the diminutive City Coupe first arrived on the scene in 1998. The Crossblade was a 2002 special edition based on the cabrio version of the city car. Its Brabus-tuned motor put out 70bhp and the car weighed just 740kg.

Audi A3 E-tron concept (2011) first official pictures

This is the Audi A3 E-tron concept, just unveiled alongside the new Q3 SUV at the 2011 Shanghai motor show. It’s Audi’s second A3 concept car in the space of two months – the first was a 402bhp super saloon, but this is a little more eco-conscious, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain – but both preview how the next A3 will look. Does this new Audi A3 E-tron concept still use the first concept's turbocharged 2.5-litre five-pot engine?

Porsche Panamera Diesel- it’s official

Porsche Panamera Diesel - a frugal Panamera offering The headline sounds as if there might have been doubts that we would get a Porsche Panamera Diesel before too long. But, despite the general perception that ‘Diesel Porsche’ should be an oxymoron, a Panamera diesel was always going to happen, as Porsche confirmed in November. It was always going to happen because – in the real world – it probably makes more sense than any of its petrol powered siblings for most potential buyers.