Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette (2011) first official pictures

Aston Martin have teamed up with French fashion retailer Colette to produce the Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette. It's a 14 unit limited edition produced through the Aston Martin Works Tailored customisation programme, and available through Colette's Paris store. Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette: the fashionista's Aston Martin Colette (it's supposed to be lower-case, like Audi's spelling of Quattro) stylists have left the unfashionable mechanical parts alone and concentrated on the colour and trim selection on the Cygnet. Outside, the Cygnet gets 'Colette blue' highlights over silver paint, including what Aston Martin refers to as 'Colette blue grille lipstick and body stripe'. You'll unlock your Cygnet & Colette with a custom enameled aluminium key, and keep it pristine when parked under its bespoke car cover.Inside, it's 'bitter chocolate' leather and quilted alcantara trim with Colette blue contrast stitching, and decorative cushions- I'm sorry...

Audi to bring hybrid Q5 to U.S. in 2010

Audi will offer a hybrid version of its Q5 crossover in the United States starting in late 2010, says Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for the Volkswagen group. In an interview Sunday at the Detroit Auto Show , Hatz said Audi must offer a hybrid model to compete with rival vehicles that already offer the technology, such as the Lexus RX 400H. The BMW X6 will be offered as a hybrid late this year, and Mercedes plans to roll out a hybrid in each of its major models starting with the S400 hybrid this year.

Volvo XC60 R-Design revealed

Volvo has released details of an R-Design version of the XC60 Still, more power isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – particularly at the moment – but many buyers like a bit of ‘butchness’ in their cars. And to be completely fair to Volvo, although they haven’t messed with the oily bits for more oomph, they have played with the suspension for more feel. Volvo say the XC60 has improved steering (thanks to ‘Direct Steering Gear’), stiffer damping and a more robust chassis.