This Volkswagen Tiguan shows how a go-faster R version might look — if it it gets a go-ahead alongside the R32 Golf, R36 Passat and R50 Touareg.

Volkswagen says there is no plan at present for a full-scale Tiguan R but that has not stopped a body upgrade on the compact SUV.

The R Line model has just gone on sale in Europe with a deep front air dam, fatter wheelarches, 19-inch alloy wheels, sill extensions and a small roof spoiler.

But it will not be coming to Australia. And it does not point to an imminent R-style tweak for the Tiguan.

"Unfortunately, we have to take away some of the excitement," says Karl Gehling.

"It's just the Volkswagen Individual exterior modifications. It's not like the R range of vehicles.

"We're not offering the R-Line. It is only a cosmetic upgrade, not a performance upgrade."

A production version of the Up! concept cars has just been confirmed for 2011 and all the signs point to a car which will be the right size and price to slide in below the Polo down under.

Volkswagen has given few specifics on how the Up! will go from motor show tease to showroom reality, but it has chosen Slovakia as the production site for what is being called the 'New Small Family'.

This could mean one car or many to satisfy the needs of the Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda brands. But there will definitely be both three and five-door hatchbacks - at least at first.

Volkswagen Group began its search for a price fighter in 2007 when it unveiled the original Up! concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, complete with a rear-mounted engine. It stretched the idea into a baby people mover a few weeks later at the Tokyo Motor Show.

It has now chosen the factory at Bratislava in Slovakia to build the production car, partly because the site already feeds four brands at the same time.

"Our team at Volkswagen in Slovakia is ideally prepared to provide the flexibility required for the production of the New Small Family," says the chairman of Volkswagen Group, Dr Martin Winterkorn.

Volkswagen is expected to get the Up! first - if it carries that name, followed by Seat and Skoda.

The plans for Australia are just as murky, although Volkswagen says it is keen to get the car.

"The Up! is still a concept and they have not confirmed the production car," says Volkswagen Group spokesman, Karl Gehling.

But he admits the 'New Small Family' is being watched closely.

"It's something we'll certainly be looking at. It will have to be price competitive but it looks a very promising product to expand our range."

Audi will add the Q3 alongside the giant Q7 and just-launched Q5 as it goes all-out to fill every opportunity in the prestige SUV business.

The Q3 will also go up against the upcoming BMW X1, which should be in showrooms around the same time.

No firm details of the Q3 have been released by Audi, although it says the Cross Coupe Quattro Concept gives some idea of its thinking.

The Cross Coupe is more car-like than either the Q7 or Q5, with a rounded five-door wagon body and a coupe-style rounded roofline.

The Q3 will be built in Spain and is part of an ambitious Audi plan to have 40-plus individual models in its line-up by 2015. The cost of this new-model rush is more than $2 billion a year.

The new SUV is already on the radar for Audi Australia but it is not yet confirmed for local sales.

"There is nothing we can confirm, except to say that it's something we're interested in," says Audi Australia spokesperson, Anna Burgdorf.

"There is a good chance of seeing the Q3 in Australia, if there is the right market for it. We never make a decision for a new model without knowing it's going to be successful.

"We need the right price and the right engines and the right customers to buy it."

Audi will add the Q3 alongside the giant Q7 and just-launched Q5 as it goes all-out to fill every opportunity in the prestige SUV business.

The Q3 will also go up against the upcoming BMW X1, which should be in showrooms around the same time.

No firm details of the Q3 have been released by Audi, although it says the Cross Coupe Quattro Concept gives some idea of its thinking.

The Cross Coupe is more car-like than either the Q7 or Q5, with a rounded five-door wagon body and a coupe-style rounded roofline.

The Q3 will be built in Spain and is part of an ambitious Audi plan to have 40-plus individual models in its line-up by 2015. The cost of this new-model rush is more than $2 billion a year.

The new SUV is already on the radar for Audi Australia but it is not yet confirmed for local sales.

"There is nothing we can confirm, except to say that it's something we're interested in," says Audi Australia spokesperson, Anna Burgdorf.

"There is a good chance of seeing the Q3 in Australia, if there is the right market for it. We never make a decision for a new model without knowing it's going to be successful.

"We need the right price and the right engines and the right customers to buy it."

Land Rover Australia spokesman Guido Schenken said they had offered some courses in NSW last year as a "prospecting tool for new and existing owners to get to know their vehicles".

"The Land Rover Experience is a franchise and we're not up to that level yet," he said.

"The current plan is to relocate and develop this trial in other states throughout 2009."

"Our aim is to expand the program over the next couple of years and our ultimate goal is to get a franchise running."

"Potentially it would be a roaming centre so we could move to the different states depending on demand."

"If you look at the model of other driving programs, they have struggled when they are in one place."

An example is BMW which owned Norwell on the Gold Coast hinterland, but now operates a roaming course in several states.

Land Rover Experience has been operating for 25 years and now has 35 franchises around the world.

Veteran Land Rover tester and the company's longest-serving staff member Roger Crathorne, 62, spends 100 days a year training drivers at Eastnor Castle.

"It means I don't have to work too many weekends and can spend more time with my family," he said.

"My wife is very understanding. She has always thought I was married to Land Rover anyhow."

Crathorne has trained journalists, rally drivers and even members of the British Royal family in off-road driving.

"The Royals have always been very attentive, but the SAS has been the most interesting to work with," he said.

"They have a totally different focus. For them it's probably a life and death matter and they don't relax; they are focussed on the training."

Crathorne is an enthusiastic advocate of Land Rover's Terrain Response system, which he claims can get anyone out of just about any sticky situation.

"Even though you think you have it going, the traction aids can ride it better than you can," he said.

"You just won't spin the wheels.

"As soon as the system recognises you have momentum it will start to pull the vehicle."

Chrysler announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and will form a new global company with Italian carmaker Fiat. Chrysler’s Australian and other international operations are not part of the bankruptcy filing.

Chrysler Australia spokesman Jerry Stamoulis says that for the moment it is "business as usual" for the local arm of the company.

"We will have a close look at the details of the arrangements throughout the day, but we are not part of the bankruptcy filing and for now there is no change to our business," Stamoulis says.

His comments echo those of the carmaker’s chief executive officer Bob Nardelli. "We want to personally assure everyone that the new company will produce and support quality vehicles under the Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler brands as well as parts under the Mopar brand," Nardelli said in a statement.

"Chrysler employees will become employees of the new company. Chrysler dealerships remain open for business serving our customers. All vehicle warranties will be honored without interruption and consumers can continue to purchase our vehicles with complete confidence."

Chrysler says it has reached an agreement in principle to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat will allow both to optimise their respective manufacturing footprints and the global supplier base, while providing each with access to additional markets. Fiat powertrains and components will also be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites.

When the deal is finalised, the auto workers union will own 55 percent of the new company and the US and Canadian governments will own 10 per cent between them.

Fiat will initially own 20 per cent of Chrysler and will have the right to increase its stake to 25 percent in three increments as it meets the following criteria: 5 per cent for bringing a 40mp/g (5.8l/100km) vehicle platform to Chrysler to be produced in the US; 5 percent for providing a fuel-efficient engine family to be produced in the US for use in Chrysler vehicles; and 5 percent for providing Chrysler access to its vast global distribution network to facilitate the export of Chrysler vehicles. Fiat cannot become a majority owner until after all US government loans have been completely repaid.

As a part of the restructuring, most manufacturing operations will be idled from Monday and normal production schedules will resume when the deal is finalised, expected to be within 30 to 60 days.

The filing comes after a memo to Chrysler employees from Nardelli earlier this week, saying the company was hoping its 46 main creditors would accept $2 billion to wipe out $6.9 billion in secured debt.

Chrysler says that, despite substantial progress on many fronts, it was not able to obtain the necessary concessions from all of its lenders, which would have avoided the need for a bankruptcy proceeding.

As a result, under the direction of the US Treasury, Chrysler LLC and 24 of its wholly owned US subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code in New York late yesterday.

The Chrysler move follows General Motor’s bid to survive by offering the US Government a controlling interest in a bid to shed debt, and hinting that it could be forced to file for bankruptcy if the deal is not accepted.

The $3 million supercar is still well over a year from showrooms, despite an early commitment from one cashed-up Australian customer, but it picked up its first major prize in Italy this week.

The One-77 was named as best concept car at the Concorso d'Eleganza, one of the world's most exotic car shows at the $1000-a-night Villa D'Este hotel on the shores of Lake Como.

Its appearance moves the supercar two steps closer from a dream to a reality as it was shown with an interior - the one big thing missing from the original concept car now housed at Aston's headquarters at Gaydon in the UK - and a running mechanical package.

"The One-77 has proven itself as the most desirable automotive art form at its premiere today," says Aston CEO, Ulrich Bez.

The super coupe scooped the concept car prize when it took more than 30 per cent of votes from 2600 show visitors, despite opposition from seven other dream machines.

The other big winner at the Concorso d'Eleganza was a classic Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta Touring was was named 'best in show'.

"The One-77 demonstrates the unique capabilities of our company - it encompasses engineering excellence with a great passion from our engineers, designers and technical partners," says Bez.

"This is a major step in One-77's engineering programme, showing the first complete car."

But the world is still waiting for full details of the car's engine and the vital performance figures it will need to compete with the benchmark Bugatti Veyron.

Holden Special Vehicles boss Phil Harding is cagey about it.

He's been misquoted before on future supercars from the Clayton-based brand but says the W427 won't be the last super car from HSV.

Mr Harding says there needs to be a time gap and low production numbers to maintain exclusivity.

"Some have called it an Australian icon and I'm happy with that, but you need a timeout and then come back later and do something like that again - but I don't know what that timeframe is."

"One customer has bought two, one on bricks and the other is being driven, so they probably think its going to help them in the future with car value," he says.

The model mix has not swung in the smaller four-cylinder direction but HSV is still looking at additional four-cylinder models, including examining an HSV version of the Cruze.

"We have a lot of internal activity, I don't think I'm ready to say more than that, on Corsa and Insignia we have business cases to finish off, that's still happening."

"But since then in the public domain the Cruze has entered the melting pot, that's given us another opportunity that we're looking at.

"We're looking at the concept, I'm not confirming that we're going to do it.

"The Corsa and Insignia haven't gotten any worse - in fact they've gotten better - so I don't want to throw them out in a product sense, they'll only be thrown out if the business case doesn't work," he says.

The company's sales tallies have followed the market down by about 20 per cent but Mr Harding says the figures are in line with the company plans.

"We're in line with our plan, which is down on last year, but like every car company we're doing all the right things - controlling costs, motivating our dealers, focussed on selling cars and the sales are where we thought we'd be at the end of quarter one, we're down about 20 per cent in line with the market."

Mr Harding has ruled out any HSV versions of a Holden SUV and has expressed a preference for the exciting product like the W427.

"We're also bringing LPG to the market later this year, that's progressing. We're doing well with that."

"We've existed for 20 years and we've got great products.

"It's tough, but we've been in the tough times before and we'll come out of it and we'll have some great times," he says.

Holden Special Vehicles boss Phil Harding is cagey about it.

He's been misquoted before on future supercars from the Clayton-based brand but says the W427 won't be the last super car from HSV.

Mr Harding says there needs to be a time gap and low production numbers to maintain exclusivity.

"Some have called it an Australian icon and I'm happy with that, but you need a timeout and then come back later and do something like that again - but I don't know what that timeframe is."

"One customer has bought two, one on bricks and the other is being driven, so they probably think its going to help them in the future with car value," he says.

The model mix has not swung in the smaller four-cylinder direction but HSV is still looking at additional four-cylinder models, including examining an HSV version of the Cruze.

"We have a lot of internal activity, I don't think I'm ready to say more than that, on Corsa and Insignia we have business cases to finish off, that's still happening."

"But since then in the public domain the Cruze has entered the melting pot, that's given us another opportunity that we're looking at.

"We're looking at the concept, I'm not confirming that we're going to do it.

"The Corsa and Insignia haven't gotten any worse - in fact they've gotten better - so I don't want to throw them out in a product sense, they'll only be thrown out if the business case doesn't work," he says.

The company's sales tallies have followed the market down by about 20 per cent but Mr Harding says the figures are in line with the company plans.

"We're in line with our plan, which is down on last year, but like every car company we're doing all the right things - controlling costs, motivating our dealers, focussed on selling cars and the sales are where we thought we'd be at the end of quarter one, we're down about 20 per cent in line with the market."

Mr Harding has ruled out any HSV versions of a Holden SUV and has expressed a preference for the exciting product like the W427.

"We're also bringing LPG to the market later this year, that's progressing. We're doing well with that."

"We've existed for 20 years and we've got great products.

"It's tough, but we've been in the tough times before and we'll come out of it and we'll have some great times," he says.

Fresh-faced and with stronger engines, the new car arrives here in September along with a new-look Scout wagon.

The RS gets a contemporary look based on other models in the recently-released Octavia range.

But it hits harder with a different valance, fog lights, body-coloured trim and LED tail lights.

The punch is the choice of a 147kW direct petrol injection 2-litre turbo mated to either a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch or a six-speed manual transmission as Skoda moves closer to align drivetrains with parent Volkswagen.

Optional is a 125kW 2-litre turbo-diesel with the same transmission choices.

Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner says the company's range in Australia is being tightened and adjusted to maximise appeal.

Speaking from the Czech Republic, he admits there are gaps in the range.

The Scout, which arrives in its new form in September, still has no automatic option.

"But its coming," says Wiesner.

"It's only available as a manual from the factory _ it is not sold anywhere as an automatic _ but we've been fighting for an auto on the basis that Australia is a special market that needs this option.

"Finally, there's clarity in the issue and I'd expect a DSG version perhaps within 12 months."

Modifying the Skoda line up has seen the workhorse 1.9-litre turbo-diesel dropped from the Octavia range.

The replacement as the entry-level model is the 1.6-litre petrol-engined sedan at $26,990 _ a price Weisner says gives entry into a price segment usually occupied by small cars.

Octavia models now come as a 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol and the 2-litre 103kW turbo-diesel.

The Roomster will be retained despite having a practically invisible road presence.

"We're looking at some ideas with Roomster," Wiesner says.

"It gets a face lift in mid-2010 and were prepared to persist because we see potential in this product.

"It is possible that sales will increase when we get Yeti because they would complement each other," he says of the Skoda small SUV that's earmarked for Australia. Yeti will join the upmarket Superb saloon as new entrants.

"Roomster is being bought by young people and retired people. It's very difficult to pinpoint it because its market is broad."

Wiesner says the Yeti wasn't being considered as just another product line. Rather, it will give Skoda entry into a younger demographic of buyers.

That would be assisted by the Yeti's two-wheel drive option _ it will come standard as an on-demand all-wheel drive _ that would offer the SUV package but at a reduced price. However, the 2WD could be seen as a future replacement for Roomster.

Wiesner says the Volkswagen Group was holding up well on global markets and Skoda was part of that modest success.

"Skoda has been helped in Europe because of the scrappage system which has helped new car sales, and also because of presence in China," he says.

"We're in a better position than some because we are under exposed in places like the US and Japan."

In Australia he says sales are steady, up 12 per cent for the year compared with the corresponding period in 2008.

"Hopefully we're growing on a wave," he says.