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Volvo has released a revised version of the the S60 Polestar, developed by Volvo Car Group's global performance and motorsport partner, Polestar.The latest model builds on the strengths of the limited-edition debut model, which was released only in Australia in 2013. Volvo last year decided to introduce specialised Polestar variants on the production line for a number of markets.The evolution of the S60 Polestar is based on feedback from Australian journalists and customers. Included this time around is a new paddle gearshift system, new Brembo brake package and a subtly-revised interior.The six-cylinder turbo-charged T6 engine remains the same but is optimised by Polestar with a bigger turbo, new intercooler, revised engine mapping and racing exhaust to produce 257kW and 500Nm.The six-speed automatic gearbox has been Polestar-optimised, which means quick-shift gearchanges via the new gearshift paddles. In conjunction with the launch control and Polestar-optimised Haldex AWD system the S60 Polestar will accelerate from standstill to 100kmh in 4.9 seconds.Chassis upgrades include modifications to increase rigidity of the chassis, with 80 percent stiffer springs relative to a standard S60 T6 R-Design. These changes combined, with the tailored high-performance Ohlins shock absorbers and 19-inch Polestar graphite alloy wheels result in a precise, yet comfortable, ride.The brake system now boasts six-piston Brembo calipers, 370mm ventilated floating discs with high performance pads front and rear. To reflect the increased performance of the S60 Polestar, positive aerodynamic effects have been achieved through subtle, yet efficient, modifications based on data from tests in the Volvo Cars wind tunnel.The new S60 Polestar incorporates sports seats for comfort during any driving condition. Upholstered in charcoal Nubuck and leather, these are complimented by blue stitching and an embossed Polestar logo. 

It might be annoying to have your mum give directions while you're driving, but if she's four-time Australian Rally Championship winner Coral Taylor, you're going to be listening up. Taylor is taking on the role of navigator for her daughter Molly, who has been achieving considerable success in international competition, and was last year ranked the world's top female rally driver.This year she will compete with D-Max Racing, an Italian-based company that manages motorsport programs across Italy and Europe for customers driving Citroen rally cars. The 25-year-old Sydneysider will contest the year in a Citroen DS3 R3T, the same model she drove to success in last year's European Rally Championship (ERC), to become the Number One-ranked female rally driver in the world after taking victory in the inaugural ERC Ladies Trophy.Marketing pressures have seen Molly part company with long-time British co-driver Sebastian Marshall, with Coral Taylor taking on the role in which she and Neal Bates dominated Australian rallying for years. "I asked Seb how he would feel wearing a wig and a skirt but he didn't feel it would suit him," Molly joked."However, he understands the commercial reality of what I have to do. He is a first-class co-driver and I will miss having him in the co-driver's seat. I wouldn't be where I am without him, but I'm also mindful that to take the next step in my career, I need to be in a position to attract the commercial partners to make this happen."Equally I'm excited to share this next stage of my professional development with my mother, who has had my back since I first stepped into a car. She is arguably the best co-driver in Australia, plus she has had World Rally Championship experience and no-one knows me better." Coral Taylor, meantime, says she is looking forward to 'calling the corners' for her daughter.Molly's 2014 program includes Vodafone Rally de Portugal (April 3-6), Lotos Rally Poland (June 26-29), Neste Oil Rally Finland (July 31-August 3), ADAC Rallye Deutschland (August 22-24), Rallye de France-Alsace (October 3-5) and Wales Rally GB (November 14-16). 

What's the worst that could happen?Watch the desktop version of the bad driver squeezes through tight lane video here.

The Swedish brand has demonstrated a system that uses a "digital key" to provide delivery companies with access to your car on a one-time basis, with the key expiring once the car has been opened and locked again. The service will allow consumers to have their shopping delivered straight to their car, no matter where they are.Car owners will be alerted via smartphone or tablet when a delivery company wants to drop off or pick up something from the car. Having accepted the delivery request, the car owner then authorises a digital key and can track when the car is opened and then locked again. Once the pick-up or drop-off is completed, the digital key is voided.The system is based on the Volvo On Call app, which among other things, makes it possible to remotely heat or cool the car and see its position or fuel level via a mobile phone. The technology was trialled during a pilot program of 100 people, 86 percent of whom agreed that "roam delivery" saved them time. The innovative use of digital keys will now make it possible to save time, money and reduce environmental impact, following completion of the first tests of the concept.Last year, 60 percent of people shopping online had problems with the delivery of their item.  Despite the rise of online shopping, research has also revealed that over a half of people are not at home to receive online deliveries, leading to further hassles and time wasted through failed deliveries.The pilot program revealed 92 percent of people found it more convenient to receive deliveries to their car  and it also showed the service clearly saved time. "We are now further investigating the technology of digital keys and new consumer benefits linked to it," Klas Bendrik, Group CIO at Volvo Car Group, said."It's all about finding solutions that are intuitive and easy to use and that create benefits in the everyday lives of our customers. The important thing is to make these complex and advanced systems easy to understand for everyone, even behind the wheel. Deliveries directly to the car are just one first example of that," he said. 

Students at Italy's Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin have created a two-seater concept that will be a highlight of the Hyundai Geneva show offereings. The full-scale PassoCorto mid-engined sports car model is the work of 16 students on the Master's course at IED, coordinated by Luca Borgogno, Lead Designer at world-renowned design house, Pininfarina.The concept is the result of a process marked by various assessment stages, simulating a real working situation. Hyundai Design Centre Europe gave the Institute a design brief, with its target customers being young, connected people, known as generation Y. This target market also includes the students on the Master's course themselves, who were asked by Hyundai Design to draw and design the Hyundai that would be top of their list for buying and driving.All students submitted design proposals; the two that were judged to best fit the initial brief were selected and "merged" together into the final version, which combines approximately 70 per cent of one proposal and 30 per cent of the other.The entire class then created a core working team in order to create a well-integrated full-scale model of the two final design versions. The result is the spectacular Hyundai PassoCorto, a fascinating glimpse at what a mid-engined, lightweight Hyundai sports car might look like in the future.

The Australian motorsport community has thrown its weight behind the home grown Thales' Hawkei protected mobility vehicle. The next generation of lightweight, high mobility protected vehicles was launched recently in conjunction with the final round of the 2013 Auto One V8 Utes Racing Series at Sydney Olympic Park, with the Hawkei leading the field around on parade laps. We'd normally consider the V8 Utes to be the toughest thing on track, but such an imposing vehicle makes our race utes look pretty small in comparison," said V8 Ute driver Adam Marjoram of Auto One Racing of the special laps.  The Hawkei is a 7-tonne utility, powered by a 3.2 litre turbocharged engine, which is mated to a ZF 6HP280 gearbox, that feeds 200kW of power and 610Nm of torque to all four wheels via a two speed transfer case. The transmission comes from the same family that is utilised in the Australian made Ford Falcon and Territory models. Capable of speeds of up to 130km/h, the Hawkei can carry up to five crew 600km. Delivering unparalleled levels of blast and ballistic protection to meet the needs of the modern warfare, Hawkei can be used for troop movement, command and control, electronic warfare, liaison, surveillance and reconnaissance. The Hawkei family of vehicles includes variants for command posts, use as a utility, border protection and special forces transportation. ZF in Australia has a long standing relationship with Thales Australia, with the two companies collaborating on the build of the famed Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle model. The Bushmaster features a specially modified ZF Ecomat 6HP transmission, which is closely related to the ZF transmissions found in buses and coaches nationwide. Craig Lowndes, the ZF Services Australia ambassador, was on hand to view the launch of the Hawkei at Sydney Olympic Park, and was impressed with the quality of the vehicle. "It's amazing what we can achieve here in Australia, our manufacturing industry is alive and kicking," said Lowndes. "The Bushmaster has proven itself all over the world as an incredible vehicle in the battle field, and the Hawkei certainly follows in its footsteps." "For ZF to be involved in this project is a real tick of approval for the quality of its products. To be able to reliably adapt a road car transmission for a vehicle of this nature really speaks volumes."  Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins was enthusiastic at the announcement of the partnership with the Auto One V8 Utes series, which will see the Hawkei utilised at rounds in 2014. "Where better to show what Australia can do than at the Auto One V8 Ute series? The Hawkei is Aussie know-how at its best," said Mr Jenkins. "Focused on winning, being the best and protecting your mates, that's Australia. That's what the Hawkei is all about. We think this Aussie beast is in great company with the iconic Australian ute."  The Hawkei is currently in the prototype testing and development phase, which if successful will see upwards of 1,300 vehicles produced at the Thales base in Bendigo. Watch the desktop version of the Hawkei ute gets a sporting salute video here.   

The Trafic has been a popular choice for vannies, notching more than 1.6 million sales in the past three decades.The image you see provides a preview glimpse of several of the forthcoming vehicle's features. "Its lines embody Renault's new brand identity with the aim of achieving a dynamic, assertive stance without sacrificing either the robustness or user-friendliness customers expect of their van.The third generation Trafic has focused on meeting the needs of business customers more closely than ever, by providing them with 'Innovation for a Better Life'.The appeal of the van produced by Europe's number one LCV manufacturer since 1998 is boosted by revised styling, new technologies and a range of new engines that benefit from Renault's expertise in the world of Formula 1 racing. 

Concerned that your next car purchase might have some hidden secrets -- that the seller won't reveal the complete truth about its history. There are some ways to tell if you're being lied to, according research from the UK. The UK's motor vehicle information service HPI has urged car buyers to be on their guard and pay attention to more than a vehicle's body work, but a seller's body language and facial expressions too. Nose touching, mouth covering, fidgeting and throat clearing are all common signs someone is telling a lie, the organisation says -- and has come up with a simple set of clues that could save your bacon. "Trust your instincts," HPI's Shane Teskey said. "Pay close attention to body language and facial expressions.  For example, look for nose touching and mouth covering. People touch their noses more frequently when they're lying. They're also more likely to cover their mouths." Another potential tell-tale is nodding, HPI warns. When the head is nodding or shaking in contrast to what is being said, buyers should be on their guard. "Make sure the seller isn't giving you inconsistent signals," Teskey said. "Does your used car seller look shifty? Perhaps constantly fidgeting? Too much fidgeting, either with their own clothing, jewellery, hair or things around them, could indicate that they are feeling uneasy and may be lying to you about the car's history." Buyers should also try to observe the level of "mirroring" going on between themselves and the seller.  When two people have a conversation, they naturally mirror the behaviour of each other, but unscrupulous sellers mirror significantly less when lying. Finally, pay attention to the person's throat. Excessive lubrication of the throat by swallowing, throat clearing or gulping may indicate someone is dealing with a dodgy seller. "We always urge buyers to take along someone else with them when going to view a car," Teskey said. "Having a second pair of eyes to check out the seller while you check out the bodywork will never go amiss. And if you don't know much about cars, try to take someone who does know a thing or two, or invest in the services of an independent vehicle inspection. Most importantly, don't let your heart rule your head and trust your instincts. If the car looks too good to be true, it probably is." How to spot a 'dodgy' used car seller 1. Look for nose touching and mouth covering. 2. Watch when the person nods. If the head is nodding or shaking in contrast to what is being said, this can be a tell-tale sign that they are lying. 3. Beware of constant fidgeting. 4. Observe the level of mirroring. 5. Watch the person's throat for excessive swallowing, throat clearing or gulping.

High performance machines from Audi are usually not short of grip thanks to the brand’s tenacious quattro AWD system.But if the road is covered in ice, and the driver lacks skill -- and is driving way too fast for the conditions – no technology in the world can save the day. Here’s the latest entry in the list of things not to do while driving.Watch the desktop version of the Audi ice drift fails

Doctors have warned Michael Schumacher's family that he may be in a permanent vegetative state but his loved ones say they won't give up hope. The F1 champion, 45, may be suffering from Apallic Syndrome, a diagnosis that can't be verified until months after an injury. He has been in a coma for four weeks now.People with the condition show responses like anger, hunger or pleasure but not the same way or in response to the same things that they would if they were awake.Dr Colin Shieff, neurosurgeon at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in central London, told the Mirror that the Schumacher family should be prepared for that potential diagnosis."In my own professional personal experience it would be too early to put any such label on Michael Schumacher, but it is correct for doctors to warn his family at this stage - and it is absolutely horrible for doctors to watch," he said. "There are situations worse than dying from an injury."Schumacher's wife Corinna, 44, said the family continued to hope for the best. "We all know: he is a fighter and will not give up!" she said.The family released a statement saying the level of support they had received had helped them in their darkest hours, "We are deeply moved that there is no let up in the good wishes for Michael from around the world. That gives us strength. Thank you all of you!"Doctors, and undoubtedly Schumacher's family by now, know that the longer he remains unresponsive the less likely it is that he will pull through unscathed.Jean-Marc Orgogozo, professor of neurology at the University of Bordeaux, said: "Every day, every week in a coma the chances decline that the situation is improving."