Volvo V40: the sensible premium hatch

Volvo will attempt to land squarely in the middle of the growing premium hatchback market when it launches its new V40 model at the Geneva Motor Show next week. It will be aiming to pique the interest of well-funded buyers who might otherwise head for a BMW, Audi, or Alfa dealership.

Rear drive and rapid: BMW M135i Concept hatch to go on show

BMW has squeezed a big 3.0-litre petrol engine under the short bonnet of its new 1-Series hatchback, creating a compact performance concept for next month’s Geneva motor show.

Mini Clubvan: delivering small things in style

Got something small to deliver in a hurry? You probably should call a bloke with a box bolted to the back of his motorbike, but failing that there’s always the Mini Clubvan.

As the name suggests, the Mini Clubvan is a Mini Clubman that’s been transmogrified into a compact but very stylish delivery van.

GTi or XY: Peugeot’s 208 aims to be both hot and cool

At the Geneva Motor Show next month, Peugeot will show off a concept version of its upcoming 208 GTi hot hatch, powered by a 200bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine.

The 208 bodyshell is around 100kg lighter than the outgoing 207, and a significant 300kg or so lighter than the RCZ coupe that donates the GTi’s engine, so performance should be suitably brisk. The RCZ manages a 7.6-second sprint to 62mph, so it will be a surprise if the 208 GTi can’t get there comfortably within seven seconds.

Finished Ford B-Max keeps its clever doors

Ford has revealed the production version of its B-Max compact MPV ahead of the new car’s debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The concept was first revealed at the same show a year earlier, and it’s fair to say that the finished car has stayed exceedingly true to the teaser.

2012 Mercedes A-Class revealed - sort of

Mercedes-Benz will unveil its new A-Class hatchback at the Geneva motor show in early March, but before that happens the German company has sent disguised examples of the new cars out onto the streets of its homeland as part of a promotional competition.

New Chevrolet Aveo reviewed

It seems unlikely that many people, other than Chevrolet’s design staff, will be able to call up a mental image of the outgoing Chevy Aveo. But while we never really knew it, we can forget it now, because there’s a new Aveo in town for 2012. And it’s far more determined to be noticed.