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THIS week sees the reveal of the Polestar 2 – the company’s second model, but a chance to properly launch the innovative new brand from Chinese giant Geely (which has proven such a fantastic custodian of Volvo and will hopefully do the same with Lotus). Polestar was only born just over a year ago in October 2017 with the imaginatively-named Polestar 1 (above) – a hybrid sports car with more than a passing resemblance to a previous Volvo concept. Probably because that’s really what it was. It’s no surprise, really; the company’s CEO is Thomas Ingenlath, previously Volvo’s design boss. So the brand is led by a designer (ably aided by Auto Express Brit List rising star Jon Goodman), all models from Polestar 2 onwards will be all-electric and the…

● New supermini to star at Geneva show ● Petrol, diesel and electric power James_Brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods THIS is the all-new, second-generation Peugeot 208, and this humble supermini is arguably the most important model in the brand’s 123-year history. That’s because when it goes on sale in the summer after a full reveal at March’s Geneva Motor Show, it’ll be the first mainstream Peugeot to be offered with an electric powertrain. The 208 moves on to the PSA Group’s new CMP platform for B and C-segment cars; it shares this with the DS 3 Crossback. Design wise, it’s well distanced from its predecessor. The front is defined by a pair of large LED ‘fangs’ hanging off the headlights, and overall the new model receives a much sportier-looking bodykit than before. Every…

PEUGEOT will expand its electrified range with a performance-focused 508 plug-in hybrid. This has been confirmed for production next year, and will be previewed by the 508 Sport Engineered concept that will join the 208 on the stand at Geneva. The concept uses a 197bhp 1.6-litre PureTech petrol turbo supported by two electric motors – a 107bhp unit on the front axle and a 201bhp motor for the rear. An 11.8kWh battery allows for 31 miles of electric range. While the production car, which will arrive by the end of 2020, will keep the concept’s four-wheel-drive powertrain, its power output will be toned down “to a combined figure of around 350bhp”, said Philippe-Emmanuel Jean, Peugeot’s head of brand strategy and concept cars. PAGE 34: We drive Peugeot 508 PHEV…

● SUV revealed ahead of Geneva ● Promises class-leading space “Newcomer looks set to become one of the most practical and tech-laden offerings in the class” Alex_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @AxleIngram SKODA is one of the last mainstream brands to enter the hugely competitive and popular compact SUV sector, but the brand has finally arrived with this, the Kamiq. The newcomer looks set to become one of the most practical and tech-laden offerings in the class, and Auto Express was granted an early preview of the car before its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The Kamiq’s shape takes inspiration from both the rest of Skoda’s SUV family and the recently revealed Scala hatchback. Its front puts a twist on the ‘four-eye’ lighting arrangement seen on the Karoq and Kodiaq; slim top…

● Brit firm facelifts 3 Series rival ● Major update for the interior James_Batchelor@dennis.co.uk @JRRBatchelor JAGUAR is hoping it can right the XE’s wrongs with a facelifted version for 2019. The compact exec saloon benefits from tweaks to its exterior, upgrades to its technology arsenal and a substantially overhauled interior. Priced from just under £34,000, it goes on sale this week. There are no metalwork changes to the XE’s four-year-old design, but a series of tiny updates gives it a fresher look. At the front, a reshaped grille stands slightly prouder than before and it sits within an all-new bumper, with larger air intakes. If the headlamps look sleeker that’s because they’re 12mm slimmer, and every XE now has LED ‘J-blade’ daytime running lights and headlights as standard. It’s on…

VOLVO has revised the XC90, treating its biggest SUV to reworked styling, more safety kit and fuel-saving mild-hybrid tech. The Swedish brand’s continued push towards electrification means that all XC90s will soon feature a Kinetic Energy Recovery System. This harvests energy that would otherwise be wasted when braking, then deploys it under acceleration to reduce load on the combustion engine. According to Volvo, the system will reduce fuel usage and tailpipe emissions by 15 per cent. The new mild-hybrid models will be signified by ‘B’ badging, with B5 and B6 petrols and a B5 diesel taking the place of the existing T5, T6 and D5 units. Phasing out the non-hybrids will be a gradual process, with the B5 diesel joining the range first. The existing T8 plug-in hybrid remains at…