Oil-burning Cadillac CTS captured

No, this isn't a half clapped-out Cadillac CTS. Infact, it's a new diesel version of the CTS undergoing testing on European soil. The oil-burning CTS is being tested on the European continent due to its abundance of engineers with experience of diesel technology and has been thought up to tackle the increasing diesel-powered segment in the States, as well as to offer a viable alternative to petrol CTS models in world markets.

Despite Cadillac trying to get back into the UK market with the BLS which failed, Cadillac could have a good chance with the new diesel powered CTS. The current CTS came in its hundreds into the UK through private importers.

Our source suggests that the 1.9-litre turbodiesel unit used in the BLS is likely not to make the Stateside CTS line-up, with the introduction of Opel's 184 hp 3.0-litre V6 being the preferred powertrain. However, capable of 56 mpg on the combined cycle, the 1.9-litre unit may make a late range entry should the V6 take initial preference. Opel's 3.0 V6 as featured in the Vectra range provides a 41 mpg combined figure.

While the transplanting of the GM stablemate's 3.0 V6 into the CTS is likely, the in-house engineered unit of choice for the firm may very well be a 2.9-litre V6 turbodiesel, premiered at this year's Geneva Motor Show. It was however maintained in an announcement at the show that the 250 hp unit was likely to be sold only in European-spec Cadillacs, taking on Europe's finest with the all-new engine.

Speculation is sure to be rife ahead of the oil-burning CTS' debut, so stay with us for further details.

Please note that the test car pictured above does not have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) which will be standard when the car goes on sale next year

Cold start for Seat

We obtained the first spy photos of the next Ibiza which was caught in the cold undergoing early winter-testing and braking tests. The Ibiza is due to be launched next summer. Following the unveiling of SEAT's Tribu Concept Frankfurt Show star the new Ibiza will be the first production model to adopt the concept's evolutionary styling and begin the shift towards a new design direction for the brand.

Visible through the relatively thinly-applied disguising is the evolutionary new front end of the Tribu in Ibiza form, its trapezoidial layout of grille, headlights and bumper being evident behind the tape. The front lamps are very much the new SEAT's 'eyes', styled straight from the Tribu, while in true marketing speak, the start of its sideline remains its 'eyebrows' all the way to production. The dynamism extends to the rear, but first via a window line side panel crease which rises steeply at the rear door.

The Tribu concept car's rear lamps and hatch arrangement are ditched in favour of conventional, but stylish belt-line lights and hatch door. The new Ibiza gets the characteristic side-flank like its range siblings the Altea, Leon and Toledo although it appears a less prominent re-interpretation of the design feature.

Seen here in five-door guise the next Ibiza like its predecessor will also come in a three-door guise, sedan which will be called "Codobra" and a possibly a cabrio in late 2009. FR and Cupra versions will be available, powered by petrol units offering 150bhp and 180bhp respectively, with diesel units being on offer with 130bhp for the FR and 160bhp for the Cupra. Standard model engines are likely to include options ranging from 70 to 110bhp, with diesel units of 70, 80 or 100bhp being available.

Pontiac G8 engineer almost dies

Pontiac's famous tagline is "We build excitement". What does it say about the new Pontiac G8 that yesterday morning an Australian engineer driving a test car fell asleep at the wheel and piloted it down a 100-foot embankment, striking a boulder and flipping the car end over end? Well, the Pontiac G8 will surely be one of the more exciting vehicles from the brand in recent memory when it goes on sale early next year, but apparently for the engineer, 41-year-old Rolf Glenk, it wasn't exciting enough to keep him awake. Glenk was the last in a convoy of G8s that were traveling on Highway 82 in Colorado yesterday morning when the accident happened. Being last in line, it was only after another engineer noticed their group was one short that Glenk and the totaled G8 were found flipped upside down at the bottom of an embankment. Glenk was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital and treated for minor injuries, while the G8 didn't so fare nearly as well. Glenk was also given a citation for careless driving.

Volkswagen Scirocco spy photos; captured in Germany

Volkswagen's forthcoming new Scirocco Coupe has been spotted again undergoing testing on Germany's Nurburgring, this time allowing our spy photographers to snap its stylish interior. A highly-anticipated successor to VW's Scirocco coupe of 1974 and based largely on the Iroc concept car shown at last year's Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen's new coupe will be as iconic as each of its inspirations.

Inheriting the majority of styling cues from its concept car predecessor, which incidentally draws on the Scirocco name for its own, it will be the outgoing Eos convertible which donates its powertrain and underpinnings. There are deviations from the concept car inside and out, although the cabin's twin pods for speedo and rev counter remain, much like the Eos-sourced and TT-inspired vents and switchgear. Exterior modifications extend only to the shifting of the rear exhausts to one side, while the coupe's sweeping profile, the Iroc's side crease and swept mirrors all stay for production. Heading up the range will be VW's new line-up of TSI turbocharged engines, kicking off with a 1.4-litre, 138 hp turbo and a 168 hp supercharged unit. Volkswagen's popular TDI engines will also feature, with the 168 hp 2.0-litre diesel spearheading the diesel range. A Golf GTI-inherited 2.0-litre engine, capable of generating 197 hp, will top the initial range, while a hot lightweight R20 version of the Scirocco with 230 hp is planned, despite all-wheel-drive and a V-alignment being ruled out over development costs and fuel consumption worries.

Prices and specifications are yet to be announced but expect the Scirocco to start at £20,000 in the UK, due to the omition of traditional 'entry-level' models.