Top-Selling Fiesta Earns Best Used Car Award From CAP

THE FORD Fiesta, Britain’s best-selling car, has been declared Used Car of the Year 2012 by car valuation experts CAP. Top of CAP’s criteria when choosing its Used Car of the Year were affordability, practicality, reputation and popularity in the used car market. Commenting on its decision, Mark Norman, of CAP, said: “It is always tempting for the motoring media and other industry observers to take ‘the petrol head’ approach when giving awards to cars which excite them, but the CAP Used Car of the Year Award recognises the contribution a car makes to both consumers and dealers.” Ford’s Fiesta continues to top the UK sales charts and the range is being further strengthened by the arrival of new models featuring class-leading fuel economy from six powertrains with CO2 emissions under 100g/km, as well as innovative new driver assistance and safety features.

Concept Car of the Week: Renault Altica (2006)

Back in 2006 Renault was still well into its design-leadership stride, if perhaps not for much longer. The Altica concept, shown at that year's Geneva motor show, showcased all the French brand had to offer at that time – a brilliantly brave, architectural interior, a style that could only be associated with its country of origin and an interior that thoroughly questioned and readdressed layout, control and format. It also served to preview the renaissance of the Shooting Brake that the industry is still experiencing.

Ducati 1199 Panigale merges components, sheds weight [w/gallery]

Ducati has released an image of its new 1199 Panigale without its fairings, illustrating how multiple elements of the bike have been fused together to make it incredibly lightweight and compact. The motorcycle manufacturer has managed to reduce the overall dry weight to be reduced by 10kg to a benchmark weight of just 164kg. The monocoque connects to the specially-designed engine's cylinder heads and comes forward to house the steering head bearings.