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THE automotive industry has lost one of its most respected and tenacious car chiefs. Last week Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced that its chief executive Sergio Marchionne had passed away following complications that occurred during surgery. The 66-year-old (above) was due to step down from the role next spring, marking what have been almost 15 years at the head of one of the world’s largest car makers. However, it is without question that the company Marchionne leaves behind is far leaner, fitter and more relevant than the one he took charge of in 2004. He brought the Fiat Group back from the brink of bankruptcy and became a figurehead in the industry through his bold, creative and determined attitude. He was publicly critical about his own products as well as…

• We get behind wheel of new top-of-the-range 2 Series • Twin-turbo engine gives performance coupé huge pace “Turning into a bend reveals meaty and direct steering and lots of front-end grip” ON the surface, the BMW M2 Competition looks like a lightly fettled version of the standard coupé. Yet while tweaked versions of the brand’s previous high-performance M cars have benefited from little more than a small power hike and some minor mods, the new M2 has been given a root and branch overhaul. The biggest change comes under the bonnet, where the M2’s old straight-six has been replaced by the motorsport-developed engine from the M4. This new motor is far more focused, featuring twin turbos, a bespoke six-into-one exhaust system and a heavy-duty cooling set-up. The results are…

James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods “Newcomer will be the brand’s smallest SUV when it arrives. It was previewed by the Vision X concept, and the production model could be badged Anuq or Amiq” THE next three years could prove to be one of the most transformational periods in Skoda’s near-123-year history, as the Czech brand prepares up to nine new cars. Leading the charge will be a new version of the firm’s biggest nameplate of all: the fourth-generation Octavia, previewed in our exclusive main image. Although much of Skoda’s focus in recent times has been on expanding its SUV line-up, the Octavia remains its most important car and its true breadwinner. The Octavia has been part of Skoda’s range, on and off, since 1959, and last June the six-millionth example was built. The…

LATE 2018 KODIAQ vRS Next up for Skoda is the hot Kodiaq, previewed in our exclusive image. A 237bhp 2.0 TDI is confirmed and it’s set to star at October’s Paris show. EARLY 2019 RAPID A totally new proposition, the next Rapid (previewed in our exclusive image) will get a new name as it takes on the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf. 2019 KODIAQ COUPE A coupé variant of the Kodiaq, previewed in our image, is confirmed for China, although Skoda has no current plans to bring it to Europe. 2019 VISION X Expanding Skoda’s new family of SUVs to three models, the Vision X-inspired crossover is set to be based on the next Rapid. 2019 SUPERB Skoda’s flagship saloon is due for a facelift next year, and our spies…

Sean_Carson@dennis.co.uk @sean_carson_ THE Volkswagen Group’s rather predictable approach to new products means it’s now SEAT’s turn to offer a family-friendly seven-seat SUV. It’s called the Tarraco, and we’ve driven it in prototype form before it’s unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. Think of this as SEAT’s rival to the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace. Tough competition, then, but SEAT has form when it comes to seven-seaters. The brand’s Alhambra MPV was a stalwart of the class for years, but with traditional MPV sales waning and seven-seat SUVs on the rise, the Tarraco is the car that aims to mix practicality and versatility with style. And it delivers. Even in camouflaged form, you get a hint of how the new car looks – its proportions and the lines…

MAZDA’S CX-5 line-up has been updated in Britain, with a revised 2.2-litre diesel engine, additional standard equipment, plus the introduction of automatic gearboxes on petrol models. This isn’t a facelift – the updates are minor, with the only cosmetic changes being new 19-inch wheels and a fresh version of the Soul Red metallic paint. The main focus of this CX-5 update is a realignment of the range and changes to the most powerful diesel variant. Outgoing SE-L Nav and Sport Nav trims have been replaced by SE-L Nav+ and Sport Nav+. With the slightly different names come revisions to the safety and assistance equipment on offer. For instance, all cars are equipped with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane keep assist. In addition, the…