Kia’s sexy new Sportage crossover is now on sale as a full 16-model range. The line-up includes four engines, including brand-new 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol and 1.7-litre turbodiesel units.

These engines come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, while the 2.0-litre engines offer the choice of fi vespeed manual or six-speed automatic on the petrol and six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions on the diesel.

The new Dymax intelligent all-wheel-drive system, from Magna Powertrain, is standard on every 2.0-litre model while all 1.6 and 1.7-litre versions feature Kia’s Intelligent Stop and Go (ISG). The 16-model range is based on Kia’s 1, 2 and 3 trim designations, with all-wheel-drive versions given the ‘KX’ preface. There is also a special range-topping ‘sat nav’ grade availabe on new Sportage 3 and KX-3, featuring a fully integrated 7in touch screen satellite navigation with built-in reversing camera and upgraded audio sound system. Prices start from an attractive £16,645.

The new Subaru Impreza WRX STI 2011 model is now on sale and incorporates a wide range of developments. For this latest 2011 generation, the ‘Impreza’ moniker has been dropped and it will be known simply as the ‘Subaru WRX STI’.

In response to significant market demand the four-door saloon version of the Subaru WRX STI is once again available, after an absence of three years.

The hatchback variant will sit alongside the saloon, and this will consequently mark the first time that four- and five-door versions have been sold together in the UK. Tested at the notorious Nordschleife at the Nürburgring in Germany, the new WRX STI benefi ts from a stiffened bodyshell and an extensively reworked suspension system – based upon the marque’s widely praised ‘spec.

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is ensuring customers have even more power on demand for their off-road adventures by making the previously optional 6.2-litre V8 engine standard for 2011. With 411bhp and 434lb ft of torque, the engine makes the F-150 SVT Raptor the most powerful half-ton pick-up on the market.

Lowspeed manoeuvres, such as rock crawling, driving up a grade or accelerating through deep sand, require much less throttle input because of the engine’s increased torque.

The exhaust for the 6.2-litre engine was uniquely tuned to deliver the performance-oriented, high-horsepower sound customers want. Additionally, a unique firing order provides a distinctive roar. The V8 is similar to the engine used in the all-new 2011 Super Duty, but features unique tuning and a special cam profi le to produce more horsepower and torque. The engine was put to the test in its element – the desert of Borrego Springs, California.