Toyota Blade gets 3.5 litre V6

Looks pretty average, doesn't it? Pretty much like any other Toyota Auris. But this is no Auris. This is the Toyota Blade Master G, and while the outlandish name isn't backed up by outlandish looks, it is backed up by an outlandish 3.5-litre V6.

Conceived as a Golf-bashing premium hatch, the Blade is essentially a raunchier version of the Auris with slightly sharper styling and double wishbone rear suspension, which only the Auris D4-D T180 gets in the UK.

The engine is a detuned version of the 3456cc unit from the Lexus IS350, producing 276bhp and 254lb ft. There's also a 2.4-litre four-pot petrol available.

It's not just the engine that's different. The V6 Master G also gets a unique front end with bigger, deeper grille to provide more visual punch and 17-inch alloys with low-profile tyres. The gearbox is a six-speed sequential auto with steering wheel paddle shifters. The kerb weight is just 80kg up on the 2.4's.

Aimed at Golf R32 wannabe buyers at one end and downsizing baby-boomers at the other, the Blade Master G costs the equivalent of £13,650 in Japan. And sadly, that's the only place you can get it. Despite our pleas, there's no plan either to import the Master G to the UK or to start building them alongside the Auris D4-D in Derbyshire. Shame.

Land Rover Freelander gets bigger

The Land Rover Freelander was rumored to grow bigger to make way for 2 extra seats from the conventional 5 seats. The rumor has been speculating in the car industry for 6 years now. Company bosses are saying there will be no such vehicle but AutoExpress UK claim its heading for production.

The new SUV could be badged as the " Freelander MPV". If this is all true the "MPV SUV" could be available with the following trim levels; XS, SE and HSE. As with the bigger, seven-seat Discovery, it is unlikely that entry-level Freelanders, badged either S or GS, would come with the additional accommodation. Instead, the extra chairs are likely to be reserved for flagship SE and HSE models.

Despite Land Rover being a premium brand the new SUV could rival aganist the Chevrolet Captiva, Peugeot 4007, Citroen C-Crosser and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Measuring 4,500mm, the Freelander is only 45mm shorter than the Peugeot and, thanks to its long wheelbase, the boot has 1,670 litres of space – easily enough to accommodate the extra chairs. The load area may need to be remodelled to ensure the new seating provides sufficient legroom. However, what is less clear is exactly what specification the seven-seater model will be offered in, or whether the arrangement will simply be supplied as an optional extra.

At present, a total of nine different versions of the Free­lander are available, powered by a choice of just two engines: a 2.2-litre diesel and a 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol.