New Wheels on the Block: 5 new cars you need to know about

From supercars to a super looking concept car, here are the five motors you need to know about this week.

Aston Martin Vulcan

When you think of a Vulcan you probably think of everyone's favourite hybrid-human, Spock… RIP. Well, Spock isn't the only Vulcan we'll be thinking of whenever we hear that word. Introducing the ferocious Aston Martin Vulcan… The engine is a ridiculously large 7.0L V12 petrol that produces over 800hp... With an engine that powerful, it’s not too surprising to hear that Aston Martin’s Vulcan is a track-only supercar that will be limited to just 24 examples worldwide. So you won't see this on the M50 anytime soon.

New Audi R8

If, like JOE, you’re a millionaire with a few quid to spare and a love of all things Audi then you’re sure to be glad to hear the news that the new R8 will launch in Ireland in quarter four 2015 and pricing will be unveiled in the coming months. Okay, so we’re not millionaires (yet) but we do love the R8. The new R8’s will feature a 5.2 FSI engine with the normal R8 producing 540hp and the R8 Plus producing 610hp. Keep in mind that your mam’s 1998-Micra probably has about 50hp left in it… If it’s lucky. The R8 Plus accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 330 km/h (205.1 mph). Wowzers…

Nissan teases ‘Sway’ – Possibly a new sexy/sporty Micra

Now this could be special. When you think of the Nissan Micra you probably think of the kind of car your mother would drive (hence why we used it as an example above). However, all indications for Nissan’s latest concept hatchback seem to point to a brand new incredibly sexy Micra. We won’t know exactly what the 'Sway' is all about or if it is the new Micra until the Geneva Motor Show next week. Here’s what Nissan had to say about the Sway: “To be unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Sway is a glimpse at how a future generation of small Nissan models could look if the company's striking new design language was applied to a European hatchback.”

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

If you’re an adventurous soul with a love everything off-road, but you happen to live a 9-5 then you’re sure to like VW’s Passat Alltrack. The Alltrack will take on the likes of Opel’s Insignia Country Tourer (check out JOE’s review of that, here) and it’s aimed at anyone that has to take their car off the beaten track, whether it’s for work or your home life. The rugged all-wheel drive version of the Passat is set to be properly unveiled at Geneva, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we find out when the Passat Alltrack hits Irish roads.

Honda Jazz

Some of us here in JOE are family men, so here’s one for the dad out there who has more kids than he has hairs on his head. Honda have unveiled an all-new Jazz which is set to be a touch longer and wider than the outgoing version, meaning there’s going to be even more room in the already spacious family motor. No word yet on a price, but the new Jazz is expected to hit Irish showrooms in August and is set to come with a rake of optional safety extras that will ensure your little money-drainers will stay safe during the school-run.