Vauxhall Astra (2009): the first sketches

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 08 September 2008 09:00 Vauxhall has just issued these first official sketches of the new Astra ahead of its launch in 2009 at next year's Frankfurt motor show. Although heavily silhouetted, we can make out an evolution of today's mid-sized hatchback. This sketch is of the coupe-style three-door Astra, but there will again be a more upright five-door and indeed a whole suite of other Astras to fit every pocket.

EPA calls for lower-sulfur gasoline

The EPA proposed a package of rules Friday that includes cleaner gasoline and stricter limits on pollution from the tailpipes of cars, despite objections from the oil industry. The rules, known as Tier 3, have been supported by car companies because they would bring U.S. standards into alignment with those of California, where gasoline must have a lower sulfur content to help reduce tailpipe emissions.

Renault teases 'Captur' SUV - a baby Juke rival

After a pitiful year of sales for Renault in the UK in 2012 (they plummeted 40% in figures out yesterday), the French are fighting back with a baby SUV designed to repeat the success of inhouse rival the Nissan Juke. It comes a day after local rival Peugeot announced its new 2008 crossover, another rival in this shrunken crossover/SUV contest. What's the Renault Captur based on?  Renault has so far issued only this solitary shady teaser image.