Finally, it is the information we’ve all been waiting for. Just what is the rocket powered Nissan Juke-R capable of? Fitted with the engine from the Nissan GT-R supercar, the Juke-R has been completely reworked from the ground up to provide exceptional performance and handling whilst retaining the unique looks of the base car.

Nissan has shown during testing that the Juke-R’s 485bhp 3.8-litre V6 twin turbo engine propels the car from a standing start to 62mph (100kph) in just 3.7 seconds, before continuing on to a top speed of 160mph (257kph). This is eye watering performance for something that started off life as a fresh and funky small family car.

I will remind you all at this point that Juke-R the is only a technical study at this stage, and just two working examples will be built (in left and right hand drive respectively). This though speaks volumes. I’m guessing if the public at large show a demand, the car will no doubt be built. I wonder if the price tag will be as hair raising as the performance…

Olivier Demangel is a 3D artist. He’s created some concept redesigns of the Ferrari 458 Italia that are extremely pretty indeed. You can see them on his website. My favourite is the redesign in white, which looks almost like a mix between the Ferrari 458 Italia and the McLaren MP4-12C.

Here’s the latest from Volvo, frequently the manufacturer of some of the safest and most economical cars on the road, on the next step to fuel economy and lower emissions:

Volvo Car Corporation is taking the next step towards zero emissions and climate impact through a new, downsized engine range consisting solely of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

“It’s time to stop counting cylinders. At the Frankfurt Motor Show we will reveal a new concept car. It proves that downsized engines can go hand in hand with our customers’ expectations on luxury and driving pleasure,” says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Corporation.

Volvo Car Corporation’s upcoming four-cylinder VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engine range includes common rail diesels and direct injected petrol engines. It covers the whole range from high power and torque variants to fuel-efficient derivatives.

“Our four-cylinder focus is the perfect way for us to quickly reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. We will develop four-cylinder engines with higher performance than today’s six-cylinder units and lower fuel consumption than the current four-cylinder generation,” continues Peter Mertens.

The new VEA engines reduce the number of unique parts by 60 percent. The new powertrains are also up to 90 kg lighter than the present ones and fuel economy is improved by up to 35 percent.

Originally designed for as a concept production run of only 25 cars (for China), due to overwhelming success and desire for the model Lotus is to increase production. The term concept has been dropped and thus it is expected that a much larger production will begin soon for worldwide demand. Running with 420 bhp, the Evora GTE has a Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre V6 fitted which is mated to a sequential box. It weighs 105 kgs less than the standard car. There’s no word yet on pricing or 0-60 times but ‘quick’ is probably a fair word to use.

This is the concept car to star at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13 and Infiniti got none other than Sebastien Vettel to assist in the design process! It does look like a ‘current trend’ suv/crossover but I’m loving the hinted huge rear spoiler on the back. Want one? Yes please! No word yet on whether it will make production however.

The Telegraph online has a feature on a new concept – the Aston Martin Zagato. Take a look at the article to view this amazing looking car. For my money it has hints of the DBS alongside the muscular haunches of a Nissan 370Z.

This is the Peugeot EX1 electric car and it recently set a new track record at Germany’s Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit.

Stéphane Caillet, driver and tuner-technician from the Company’s Research & Development Centre, was at the wheel of the EX1 Concept Car, which covered the circuit’s 20.832 kilometres (12.944 miles), convincingly beating the electric speed record for a lap.

The Nürburgring has a reputation as being one of the toughest tests anywhere in the world for a motor vehicle, due to the huge amounts of turns, straights, braking areas and varying degrees of camber throughout the large circuit.

The EX1 beat an electric speed record by putting in a lap time of 9 minutes, 1.338 seconds (9:01.338) at an average speed of 138.324 km/h (85.951 mph), despite weather conditions which were far from favourable.

The previous electric speed record on this circuit was the time of 9:51.45 seconds clocked in 2010.

The record achieved by EX1 was formally recognised by WIGE Performance, the official time-keeping body for the Nordschleife.

Possibly the best looking car in the world right now? It’s certainly up there. This is not just a mere concept from Alfa, as the 4C is due to go into production. Yes, that’s full production and not just a small run. I cannot wait to see this car on the road. Mid engine and rear drive will mean it should be a hoot to blat down B roads in. I desperately want one.

I’ve never been that much of a fan of the Suzuki Swift Sport – the name is a bit of a misnomer. It isn’t that quick and it doesn’t really have anything in the way of sporting credentials. However, this S concept looks the business, if a bit of a RenaultSport Clio in Suzuki clothing…

This is the latest concept car that’s due to be shown at Geneva – the SsangYong SUT 1 (Hall 4, Stand 4133)!

Why SUT? This is a ‘sports utility truck’, which goes some way to explaining the naff acronym. Nonetheless, it’s quite a funky looking thing though not too dissimilar to a certain Ford…

This new car has an average 2.0 litre diesel engine as you’d expect. Interestingly, there’ll be a 2 wheel as well as a 4 wheel drive version. Not sure why you’d want the former mind you. This vehicle looks purposeful and useful and it’ll be less than capable on poor terrain without all four wheels being driven.

Top marks for SsangYong for an intersting looking vehicle. This doesn’t make up for the Rodius though.