Australia's Easy Reading New Car News Home | News | Road Tests Hyundai Ioniq NEWS INDEX:   Sustainable Motoring Hyundai IONIQ announced 8th December, 2015 Electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains available in a single body type, a world first; The IONIQ breaks hybrid stereotype by delivering entertaining drive alongside class-leading fuel economy and appealing design; Global reveal set for January 2016 in Korea; Launch in Australia during H2 2016 ..... more Lexus LF-FC concept car 30th October, 2015 Its headline feature is a high output fuel cell power system that drives the rear wheels and also sends power to two in-wheel motors in the front, making LF-FC all-wheel drive ..... more Tesla Model S here 10th September, 2015 Model S All-Wheel Drive Dual Motor line-up has reached Australian shores. The line-up include the 70D, the 85D and the P85D. Model S now starts at $106,100* plus on-road costs ..... more Toyota Prius V updated 30th July, 2015 Toyota has updated its Prius v hybrid seven-seater with a fresh look, improved comfort and convenience, sharper ride and handling, plus expanded safety features ..... more Honda Accord Sport Hybrid released 28th June, 2015 Accord Sport Hybrid’s design offers the roomy interior of a premium sedan while helping the advanced hybrid system achieve superior driving dynamics without compromising on fuel efficiency ..... more Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: updated model coming 28th June, 2015 Improved fuel economy, all-electric range and acceleration response; New Multi-around View Monitor and Vehicle Move Off Control safety technologies; Dynamic Shield exterior design and upmarket interior treatment unique to PHEV ..... more Metrocab: London's zero-emission-capable taxi 14th June, 2015 Frazer-Nash Research Ltd and Ecotive Ltd, the makers of the all-new Metrocab – the only zero-emissions capable black taxi currently operating in London, recently announced that the Metrocab for the UK will enter volume production in Coventry next year with manufacturing specialist, Multimatic, ..... more ROAD TEST Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid 17th May, 2015 Toyota Mirai: FCV for limited US markets 15th May, 2015 Eight Toyota dealers in California, USA, have been appointed to sell Toyota's new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle - the Mirai ..... more Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid 3rd May, 2015 All-New XC90 T8 Twin Engine is the world’s most powerful plug-in hybrid and cleanest SUV; Delivers 49 g/km CO2, combined 640Nm, just 2.1l/100km and 43km pure electric range ..... more ROAD TEST Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 6th April, 2015 Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell in Australia 6th April, 2015 World-leading ix35 zero-emissions Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) runs on hydrogen, burns no fuel and emits nothing but water vapour from its exhaust – range and refuelling time similar to that of a normal petrol-powered car; The next generation of Hyundai’s FCEV is targeted for introduction by 2018 ..... more Toyota Prius C updated 26th March, 2015 Prius c range enters 2015 with a sportier exterior, sharper dynamics and an enhanced interior while resuming the mantle of Australia's most affordable hybrid car. Upgraded Prius c is even better value with Toyota reducing prices by $1,000 on both grades - to $22,990* for the standard Prius c and $25,990* for the high-grade Prius c i-Tech ..... more ROAD TEST Toyota Camry Hybrid HL 24th February, 2015 Top of page BMW i3 released 15th December, 2014 With an everyday driving range of up to about 160km from its rear-drive electric motor, the BMW i3 offers BMW style, connectivity and driving characteristics in a zero-emission small car package ..... more Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid prices announced 24th August, 2014 2.5-litre supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine and 15kW torque-assist electric motor - 188kW and 330Nm; Super-efficient: 8.4-litres per 100km (2WD) rating; Three model grades, choice of 2WD or 4WD; Hybrid priced from $42,990* ..... more BMW i8 price announced 16th June, 2014 High performance and efficient plug-in hybrid drive train; Exceptionally high level of standard specification; Pricing from $299,000*; deliveries begin March 2015 ..... more BMW i3 price announced 16th June, 2014 BMW i3 from $63,900*, BMW i3 with range extender from $69,900*; Available in several Australian BMW dealerships from November 2014 ..... more Trident Iceni: runs on old chip oil! 1st June, 2014 With an ability to run for 2,000 miles on a single tank of mineral or bio-diesel, the Iceni uses torque multiplication technology to achieve a unique combination of speed, power and fuel efficiency. Two new models in the Iceni range are now available in the UK, the Iceni Magna (fastback) and Iceni Venturer (estate) ..... more Lexus NX: a new SUV coming 1st June, 2014 Local launch of NX hybrid and turbo confirmed; First Lexus in luxury compact cross-over segment; Sharply styled for urban and active lifestyles; Two engines, two transmissions, FWD and AWD; Safety innovations include panoramic view monitor ..... more Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV released 4th May, 2014 Outlander PHEV is powered by Mitsubishi’s highly efficient electric vehicle system. It consists of twin 60kW electric motors front and rear, a 12kWh lithium ion drive battery, 70kW output generator, lightweight front transaxle assembly and an efficient 87kW 2.0 litre four-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine to significantly extend Outlander PHEV’s driving range ..... more Lexus ES returns to Australia 23rd April, 2014 The all-new sixth generation ES arrives with greatly improved interior space, comfort, performance, fuel economy, safety, aerodynamics, features and refinement compared with its fourth generation predecessor ..... more ROAD TEST Honda Jazz Hybrid 25th March, 2014 Infiniti Q50 prices announced 14th January, 2014 All-new sports sedan model - stylish design, dynamic performance and innovative technology; Exceptional performance and efficiency - choice of two powertrains; Leading-edge technologies - Direct Adaptive Steering, Infiniti InTouch™, Back-up Collision Intervention and more; Compelling value - generous inclusions; All-new Infiniti Q50 2.2d priced from $51,900* (MLP*) ..... more Top of page Audi Sport quattro concept car 4th September, 2013 Plug-in hybrid drive developing 515kW of power; Impressive performance: 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds; Production not likely ..... more Better value for Honda Insight & Civic Hybrid 30th July, 2013 The Insight hybrid hatch is now priced from $29,990* and the updated Civic Hybrid sedan is now priced from $33,990* ..... more Honda Jazz Hybrid released 2nd May, 2013 The recently released Honda Jazz Hybrid is Australia’s most affordable hybrid at just $22,990* ..... more Toyota's youthful ME:WE concept 26th April, 2013 Working with Toyota since 2011, French firm Massaud has sought to make an “anti-crisis” car that addresses contemporary human, economic and environmental challenges ..... more Ferrari LaFerrari revealed 8th April, 2013 Ferrari took the wraps off their hybrid sports car, the LaFerrari, last month. The limited-series special will see just 499 examples made ..... more Mitsubishi EV Network Expands 10th February, 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has increased the number of dealers that are selling the i-MiEV 100% electric vehicle on the local the Australian market ..... more Top of page Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid 5th December, 2012 After the initial batch of 1,000 model year 2013 cars (which are already all sold), production will increase to 4,000-6,000 cars as of model year 2014 ..... more Out the door: One million hybrid Hondas 1st November, 2012 Honda has sold more than one million hybrid vehicles across the globe since 1999 ..... more Lexus reveal the new LS 31st July, 2012 The new LS has 3,000 improvements and component changes, including three world firsts and no less than 14 Lexus firsts - and it will be here in Australia in early 2013 ..... more Holden Captiva updated 30th July, 2012 Holden’s popular Captiva SUV range is now available with new features, improved fuel efficiency and E85 capability across all petrol engines at no change to the manufacturer's list price* ..... more ROAD TEST Holden Commodore Omega (LPG) 9th July, 2012 Holden Volt equipment and pricing 2nd July, 2012 A 1.4 litre petrol-powered generator extends the range by maintaining a charge in the battery to power the wheels until the car can be recharged, giving a total range of over 600 kilometres depending on conditions ..... more Vettel & Webber driving Infiniti 2nd July, 2012 Mark Webber said: "I’m used to Formula One cars that make a lot of noise, so to drive a silent car was very new to me! Infiniti have made something really nice here" ..... more Forty nine dealers to sell Holden Volt 21st June, 2012 Dealers from Townsville to Bunbury will sell the Holden Volt because the long range capability of Volt means electric car ownership is no longer restricted to city dwellers ..... more Nissan Leaf now available 18th June, 2012 The Nissan Leaf is priced at $51,500* and is available from 13 Leaf accredited Nissan dealerships across Australia ..... more Toyota Prius V released 15th June, 2012 The "V" behind the Prius V name stands for versatility - the first car in Australia to offer customers the flexibility of seven seats combined with a hybrid powertrain ..... more Saab may be back! 14th June, 2012 In parallel with EV conversion of the Saab 9-3, an all-new model will be developed, based on additional cutting-edge technology from Japan using the 'Phoenix' platform ..... more ROAD TEST Honda CR-Z 11th June, 2012 Honda Insight updated 7th June, 2012 Improvements to the engine and transmission, greater aerodynamics, a power-saving electric fuel pump and the low-rolling resistance tyres all contribute to Insight’s improved fuel consumption ..... more Lexus GS 450h arrives in June 22nd May, 2012 Lexus Australia will launch its most efficient GS model yet - the all-new second generation GS 450h in June 2012. Featuring an advanced petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, the all-new GS 450h will be priced* from $99,900* ..... more Toyota Prius C released 3rd May, 2012 The new Toyota Prius C brings hybrid technology to the market from $23,990*, or approximately $6,000 less than any other hybrid vehicle ..... more Toyota Prius updated 3rd April, 2012 In addition to the upgrades and added features, Toyota has made Prius $1,000 more affordable at $33,990* - $6,000 below the price of the first-generation Prius when it was launched more than a decade ago ..... more The new Toyota Camry Hybrid released 25th March, 2012 The newly released Toyota Camry Hybrid has scored an impressive motoring trifecta with boosts to power, economy and value when compared to the previous model ..... more Honda Civic 9th Gen released 1st March, 2012 The all-new Honda Civic has been refined. It features enhancements to performance, ride and interior packaging along with increased fuel economy and the addition of interactive technologies ..... more Lexus GS prices announced 29th February, 2012 Set to arrive in April, Lexus' new GS 250 and GS 350 models will feature sharp pricing across three variants, starting from $77,900* for the GS 250 Luxury model ..... more Holden LPG models commence production 28th February, 2012 LPG requires a larger tank than petrol in order to achieve a similar range, so to keep mass contained, Holden’s safety engineers developed a lightweight, 84-litre aluminium tank – which Holden believe is the only mass-produced, OEM-equipped, aluminium fuel tank anywhere in the world ..... more Toyota Prius c here next month 23rd February, 2012 Toyota expects to have the most affordable hybrid car on the Australian market when it launches the "Prius c" hatch late next month ..... more Honda Civic sedan prices announced 6th February, 2012 This ninth-generation Civic has undergone significant engineering development, with increased fuel efficiency, smoother handling, improved driving dynamics, a smarter cockpit and Honda’s ECO assist system ..... more Honda presents Acura NSX Concept 12th January, 2012 Badged as an Acura in the US, the new NSX, which is expected to go on sale in the next three years, will be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio but is developed for true sports driving enthusiasts throughout the world ..... more Top of page Nissan Leaf price announced 26th December, 2011 In revealing the Manufacturer's List Price* (MLP*), Nissan Australia CEO, Dan Thompson said the Leaf hatch was priced to deliver Nissan leadership in the zero emissions segment and offered 21st century technology that would change the personal mobility landscape ..... more Mercedes-Benz E-Class Hybrids coming 22nd December, 2011 "With these two E-Class models we are now continuing our comprehensive hybrid offensive. The modular technology opens up a quick way for us to complement other model series with hybrid models", explains Professor Dr. Thomas Weber ..... more Honda CR-Z released 28th November, 2011 The revolutionary CR-Z is in a class of its own. According to Honda, it will ignite your senses and change your perception of hybrids ..... more Citroen DS5 arrives mid-2012 25th November, 2011 The Citroen DS5, a full-size luxury five-seater, five-door car with a diesel/electric hybrid powertrain, four wheel drive and with bold styling, arrives in Australia in the middle of next year ..... more Holden Volt testing under way 16th November, 2011 This first Holden Volt vehicle arrived into Australia from the United States and is a left-hand drive model that has been adapted for use by the engineering team to begin in-country validation and verification ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid gains Guinness World Record 16th September, 2011 Drivers Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius successfully drove a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 3.64 l/100 km ..... more Two Concepts for Land Rover Defender 14th September, 2011 Both concepts capture the adventurous, daring, indomitable spirit of Land Rover. This spirit was established in 1948 by the Series 1, the first mass-produced civilian 4x4, which swiftly earned a global reputation for itself, for British engineering and for the Land Rover name ..... more Ford Evos Concept 13th September, 2011 “With its compelling design and innovative technology experience, this is a clear demonstration of the exciting vision we have for the Ford brand. While you will never see this car on the road, the next generation of Ford products will display many of the distinctive design ideas” ..... more Volkswagen Nils concept car 6th September, 2011 Nils, a single-seat electric concept vehicle that offers a glimpse of a new form of minimalist mobility, has been unveiled ahead of its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show ..... more Cadillac Ciel Concept 4th September, 2011 The Ciel – pronounced “C-L,” the French translation for sky – is a four-seat convertible that opens a new chapter in Cadillac’s design and product ascent, pushing the brand’s Art & Science philosophy into a new stratum ..... more Peugeot 508 RXH hybrid 31st August, 2011 The style of the 508 RXH and its innovative HYbrid4 drive unit provide features that allow it to combine new levels of driving freedom and pleasure in a form not seen before in its segment ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid looking for record low fuel consumption 26th August, 2011 The aim is to set a new record for lowest fuel consumption (in a petrol hybrid car) while driving through all 48 continental states of America ..... more BMW i3, i8 concepts 12th August, 2011 These concept vehicles provide a glimpse of the first electrically powered production cars from the new BMW i sub-brand, due to be launched as the BMW i3 in 2013 and the BMW i8 in 2014 ..... more Renault FRENDZY concept car 9th August, 2011 Renault’s latest concept car has a dual 'personality'. These days, professional and personal lives are so intricately interwoven that drivers find themselves permanently 'channel-hopping' between one world and the other ..... more Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV 11th July, 2011 Powered by the new Mitsubishi Plug-in Hybrid System, which significantly extends the frequency a hybrid vehicle is driven in EV mode, the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV returns fuel economy in excess of 50 km/litre ..... more Vic to trial Nissan Leaf 30th June, 2011 The 16 LEAF zero-emission electric hatchbacks, built at Nissan’s plant in Oppama, Japan, join the Government’s real-time evaluation of electric vehicles and their application in Victorian cities ..... more Renault electric car here in 2012 23rd June, 2011 The Renault Fluence Z.E. (Zero Emission) is visually similar to the petrol-powered Fluence sedan launched in Australia late last year, and shares an identical interior architecture, but under the bonnet it is very different ..... more Volvo C30 Electric 22nd June, 2011 Initial deliveries to leasing customers, mainly companies, authorities and governmental bodies, will take place from August, 2011 ..... more Renault Twizy: a new city car 13th May, 2011 Twizy gets around town faster than a traditional city car thanks to its unprecedented ultra-compact dimensions which also allows easy parking ..... more Concepts based on Suzuki Kizashi 9th May, 2011 Suzuki America revealed two innovative and eye-catching new concept cars at last month's New York Motor Show – an environmentally-friendly Kizashi EcoCharge Concept and a high-performance Kizashi Apex Concept ..... more Jaguar C-X75 given go ahead for production 9th May, 2011 Jaguar C-X75 will become the British marque's most advanced model to date. It will offer performance on a par with the fastest production cars on the market, while adopting cutting-edge technology that offers remarkably economical running ..... more Citroen DS5 revealed 5th May, 2011 The Citroen DS5 is expected in Australia during 2013 ..... more William drives bride in dad's Aston Martin 30th April, 2011 Following the reception, the groom drove his bride in one of his father's car. The Prince of Wales' Aston Martin DB6 Volante Mk II convertible displayed an "L" plate upfront ..... more Lexus CT200h released 26th April, 2011 Starting at $39,990*, CT 200h will open up the Lexus brand to a host of new and existing customers - those wanting to enter the luxury market, those wanting to downsize to a stylish and sporty hatchback, and those who wish to take advantage of the CT 200h's unique hybrid driveline ..... more ROAD TEST Holden Commodore Omega 25th April, 2011 Peugeot SXC Concept 17th April, 2011 Athletic, powerful, elegant, the "SXC", a Concept Car from the Peugeot Style Studios of the China Tech Centre in Shanghai, explores the world of an exclusive and modern Cross-over ..... more SsangYong KEV2 concept 17th April, 2011 The KEV2 presents the future vision of SsangYong's electric car technology and follows SsangYong's Korando C EV launched at the 2010 Busan Motor Show and recently shown at Switzerland's 2011 Geneva Motor Show ..... more Ford's EcoLPi Falcon To Go On Sale Mid-Year 4th April, 2011 The new EcoLPi in-line six-cylinder engine is a state-of-the-art, liquid phase injection, dedicated LPG powerplant that delivers impressive fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, as well as no compromise engine performance compared to Falcon's existing petrol I6 engine ..... more Chevrolet Mi-ray Roadster Concept 1st April, 2011 The Mi-ray was developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul. Combining cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology and advanced styling, it balances iconic Chevrolet design cues with a future design vision ..... more Kia Naimo Electric Concept 1st April, 2011 The third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year, the 3.9-metre long Naimo concept explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market ..... more Porsche 918 Spyder orders open 23rd March, 2011 Unlike the concept car, however, the production version of the two-seater, based on a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic monocoque, features a manual roof system with removable roof panels that can be stowed in the front luggage compartment ..... more Nissan Leaf arrives for local testing 22nd March, 2011 These family-sized, five door passenger vehicles will undergo field tests in the hands of Nissan engineers, acquiring real world driving data, while a further 16 cars are soon to arrive to join the Victorian government’s five-year electric vehicle trial ..... more Land Rover reveals its 4WD Plug-In Diesel Hybrid 3rd March, 2011 Range_e is based on the Range Rover Sport and uses the current 180 kW 3.0 litre TDV6 diesel engine, working with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a 69 kW electric motor. Using a parallel hybrid system, with a 14.2kW/h lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from an external 240V power source ..... more Volkswagen Bulli Concept 1st March, 2011 The Volkswagen bus, like only a few other cars, stands for the spirit of freedom. It debuted over 60 years ago in 1950 with a contagiously simple design. Its internal Volkswagen code name was T1 for Transporter one (T1). The Germans called it the Bulli, and to Americans it was the Microbus ..... more Lexus CT 200h arrives in March 23rd February, 2011 The all-new Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatch will bring new levels of technology, equipment and customer service to the compact luxury segment when it launches locally late next month ..... more Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid: more details 22nd February, 2011 The Plug-in Hybrid, which will be launched on the market in 2012, is the result of close cooperation between Volvo Cars and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall ..... more Porsche Panamera S Hybrid 18th February, 2011 The range in purely electric mode is approximately two kilometres ..... more Holden to fire-up LPG option 18th February, 2011 Later this year, Holden will launch a new powertrain that will provide Commodore with enhanced LPG technology, including LPG-optimised engine performance resulting in better performance and economy ..... more Nissan Esflow Concept - an electric sports car 10th February, 2011 It may be a concept, but the Nissan Esflow electric sports car proves it’s possible to remain environmentally sympathetic without having to give up the joy of driving ..... more Toyota at Geneva Motor Show 7th February, 2011 Toyota will unveil the next major advances in its hybrid power technology strategy for sustainable future transport at the Geneva Motor Show 3rd-13th March 2011 ..... more Australia's first public "Fast Charge Unit" for EVs 3rd February, 2011 The fast charging unit has been installed in front of the company’s Adelaide, South Australia head office and is designed to offer the convenience of a fast charge facility to drivers of MMAL’s ground breaking Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle ..... more Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid 28th January, 2011 Volvo Cars will unveil its V60 Plug-in Hybrid at Switzerland's 2011 Geneva Motor Show - a virtually production-ready car with carbon dioxide emissions below 50 g/km ..... more Volkswagen's hybrid concept for 0.9 litres/100 km 26th January, 2011 The new Volkswagen XL1 concept attains a CO2 emissions value of just 24 g/km, thanks to a combination of lightweight construction (monocoque and add-on parts made of carbon fibre), very low aerodynamic drag (Cd 0.186) and a plug-in hybrid system ..... more Toyota Prius range expansion 23rd January, 2011 With the proposed expansion of the Prius line-up to four variants, the evolution of Prius may improve the acceptance of hybrids ..... more New Saab 9-5 SportCombi 20th January, 2011 It shares the sedan’s bold, Aero X-inspired looks and features an extended, falling roof-line which culminates in a steeply raked rear screen flanked by signature Saab ‘wraparound’ window glazing ..... more Audi A6 Hybrid 19th January, 2011 Audi used the 2011 Detroit Motor Show to reveal the all-new A6 hybrid, which will be released in Europe this year ..... more Lexus CT 200h released in Japan 16th January, 2011 Lexus launched the hybrid-only "CT 200h"1, its first entry in the premium-compact segment in Japan last week. And it will be coming to Australia this year ..... more Porsche 918 RSR hybrid 16th January, 2011 Porsche has fused together its 918 concept car of 2010 with an even higher-performance hybrid drive from last year’s 911 GT3 R Hybrid to make the new Porsche 918 RSR ..... more Crashed Volvo C30 Electric for Detroit Motor Show 11th January, 2011 At this year's Detroit Motor Show, Volvo Cars is drawing attention to the issue of electric car safety by displaying a Volvo C30 Electric that has undergone a frontal collision test at the low speed of 64 km/h ..... more Ford Focus Electric revealed 10th January, 2011 The Focus Electric will be launched in late 2011 in North America and is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans. A full recharge is expected to take three to four hours at home with the 240-volt charge station ..... more Top of page LPG option for Holden Colorado 4x2 7th December, 2010 On sale across the country now, the Colorado 4x2 Single Cab Chassis and Crew Cab utility models (both LX and LT-R) are now available with Holden’s Australian-built, dual-fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine, designed to slash motorists’ fuel bills ..... more Nissan Ellure Concept 5th December, 2010 With lines that gain energy as they move through the exterior, an interior that is as engaging as it is inviting, and effortless technology embedded with intuitive intelligence, Ellure stands as Nissan’s latest expression of innovation for design ..... more Kia Optima Hybrid 2nd December, 2010 Arriving in Kia dealer showrooms in the United States early next year, the 2011 Optima Hybrid is the brand’s first-ever hybrid for North America and uses a “full parallel hybrid system” to deliver a unique blend of performance ..... more Hybrids for Audi 2nd December, 2010 Audi intends to bring two hybrid models to market in the near future. The first will be the Q5 Hybrid quattro during the first half of 2011, followed sometime later by the A6 Hybrid ..... more Fast Charger for Mitsubishi 2nd December, 2010 The Fast Charger charges the i-MiEV’s Lithium-ion battery to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes and a 50 per cent charge is completed in under 12 minutes ..... more Out the door: 5,000 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs 25th November, 2010 Mitsubishi announced this week that it has reached a production 'milestone' of 5,000 units* of its i-MiEV electric vehicle at its Mizushima Plant as of 23rd November 2010 ..... more Honda Insight released 25th November, 2010 A 1.3-litre 4-cylinder i-VTEC petrol-electric engine, producing 72 kilowatts, forms the foundation of the IMA hybrid system. The electric motor, positioned between the engine and the continuously variable transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations as well as re-capturing energy from the vehicle’s forward momentum during braking ..... more Euro road trial for Toyota iQ EV 25th November, 2010 The iQ EV is scheduled to go on sale in the USA in 2012, but Toyota is looking at its potential in other markets, including Europe, Japan and China ..... more Toyota RAV4 EV 25th November, 2010 A total of 35 vehicles will be built for a demonstration and evaluation programme through 2011, aiming at market arrival of a fully-engineered vehicle in 2012 ..... more Fisker Karma now production ready 16th November, 2010 Designed and engineered by southern California car maker Fisker Automotive, the four-door Karma is the embodiment of the company’s firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style or performance ..... more Wide-body for US Mitsubishi i-MiEV 9th November, 2010 Mitsubishi will give the world premiere of the North American version of its i-MiEV electric vehicle at the Los Angeles Motor Show (LAAS) held at the Los Angeles Convention Centre from Wednesday, 17th November to Sunday 28th November, 2010 ..... more BMW confrms plug-in hybrid sports car 7th November, 2010 By developing a sports car based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study for serial production, the Munich-based car manufacturer seeks to gain a position as a global player in the production of sporty vehicles ..... more Germany's new Megacity EV by BMW 7th November, 2010 The BMW Group is expanding its plant in Leipzig to make it the first location in Germany equipped to handle the large-scale production of zero-emission electric cars ..... more Kia Soul with "Flex-Fuel" 3rd November, 2010 Kia’s Soul Flex is the first Korean FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) which can run on an ethanol-petrol mixture, 100% ethanol or 100% petrol. It is especially designed for the Brasilian market, where ‘flex’ models account for more than 85% of the new car sales ..... more Honda Insight due December 17th October, 2010 The Insight is powered by a 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA system), coupled to a CVT gearbox. This five-door hatch sips 4.6 litres/100 kms (combined) with ultra-low emissions of just 109 grammes/kilometre ..... more Honda CR-Z coming in 2011 15th October, 2010 The Honda CR-Z is unique. Combining the typical features of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain with a 6-speed manual transmission, this coupe may change the perception of hybrids ..... more Honda Jazz Hybrid 5th October, 2010 The launch of the latest addition to the Jazz line-up marks the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to European B-segment consumers ..... more Jaguar's new super car, the C-X75 concept 30th September, 2010 Jaguar has revealed a stunning range-extended electric super car concept car. The C-X75 has been designed to celebrate 75 years of the marque and provide a glimpse into the future of Jaguar and its commitment to producing beautiful, fast cars powered by sustainable means ..... more Kia at Paris Motor Show 23rd September, 2010 Kia’s 2010 Paris Motor Show stand will major on striking design and new technologies. Taking centre stage and making its world premiere will be the eye-catching, compact and unique electric POP concept ..... more Peugeot EX1 concept car 22nd September, 2010 Peugeot’s latest concept car is a visually striking two-seater roadster with futuristic styling and an original architecture, designed to offer intense driving sensations as a celebration of the marque’s 200th anniversary ..... more Saab's Electric Vehicle 19th September, 2010 Making its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show next month, the Saab 9-3 ePower is the prototype for a test fleet of 70 vehicles which will participate in extensive field trials in Sweden early next year. This all-electric family estate represents an important step forward for Saab’s pursuit of delivering cleaner and sustainable mobility solutions ..... more Hyundai Unveils Its First Electric Car 14th September, 2010 Pure electric vehicles only operate with a battery and electric motor, with the battery’s lifespan and storage capacity determining the vehicle’s performance. Hyundai has chosen to use LiPoly batteries over traditional nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) versions ..... more HRH The Prince of Wales' Garden Party for Sustainability 12th September, 2010 Cars participating today, in this segment of The Prince's initiative, include Ginetta G50 EV (see accompanying image), G-Wiz, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Smart Fortwo ED, Tesla Roadster, Think City and Vauxhall HydroGen4 concept amongst numerous others ..... more New Holden Commodore: E85 fuel 31st August, 2010 In a major step towards providing a cleaner Australian fuel landscape, Series II models powered by Holden’s 3.0 litre SIDI V6 and 6.0 litre V8 engines will have flex-fuel capability, allowing them to run on bio-ethanol, E10, unleaded, premium or any combination in between ..... more Holden Caprice revisions 31st August, 2010 The introduction of an updated WM Series II range in late September will mark the debut of the Holden Caprice V ..... more New Holden Commodore: future friendly 31st August, 2010 With the new range, Holden has finessed the formula that has made Commodore the nation’s top selling car for 14 years straight, introducing smart multimedia technology, improved fuel economy and the capacity to run on environmentally friendly bio-ethanol ..... more Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 24th August, 2010 By launching the world’s first diesel full hybrid vehicle - the 3008 HYbrid 4 - Peugeot will be writing a new chapter in motoring history. The combination of a fuel efficient 2.0 litre 120 kW HDi diesel engine and a 27 kW electric motor is the optimal combination for a hybrid vehicle. Unlike previous hybrid vehicles which use a less fuel efficient petrol engine, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4’s diesel engine provides superior Combined Drive Cycle fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100 km (74.4 mpg), and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km ..... more More details: Lexus CT 200h 16th August, 2010 Far from being a standard hybrid, the new CT 200h - the first Lexus for the luxury small car market - has been the subject of innovative, detailed chassis engineering to ensure the CT 200h is a true driver's car ..... more Green light for Porsche 918 Spyder 29th July, 2010 “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen.” ..... more Who's taking a Mitsubishi i-MiEV 23rd July, 2010 Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) has announced "members" of the inaugural Mitsubishi i-MiEV Foundation Group - entities which have successfully applied to lease one of the company’s electric vehicles when the first shipment arrives in Australia late this month ..... more Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL 11th July, 2010 Boasting a power output of 392 kW and 880 Nm of torque, the technology vehicle from AMG is able to offer exceptional performance. The gullwing with electric drive is part of the company strategy entitled "AMG Performance 2015" which aims to continually reduce fuel consumption and emissions ..... more Mahindra enters global Electric Vehicle market 15th June, 2010 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has strengthened its position in the electric vehicles market with the acquisition of a majority stake in REVA Electric Car Co Ltd. Bangalore (India) ..... more One buyer takes 576 hybrid utes 6th June, 2010 As part of the process to make their fleet 'eco-friendly', the US company Verizon has purchased 576 Chevrolet Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid utilities ..... more Mitsubishi to lease iMiEV from July 2nd June, 2010 Marking his first official visit to Australia, Masuko confirmed Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) will be the first company to release vehicle manufacturer produced electric vehicles in this country ..... more PSA Peugeot Citroen at Challenge Bibendum 30th May, 2010 For the first time the Peugeot BB1, a small city EV driven by Michelin’s revolutionary motorised wheel technology, will be tested in real-life driving conditions ..... more GM at Challenge Bibendum 30th May, 2010 General Motors will demonstrate its diverse portfolio of alternative propulsion and advanced mobility technologies today at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ..... more General Motors' Flex-Fuel Vehicles 30th May, 2010 General Motors has increased annual production of flex-fuel vehicles to more than 850,000 annually, an increase of 55 per cent from 2006 volumes ..... more Ford to increase US Flexible-Fuel vehicle production 30th May, 2010 Ford Motor Company will deliver on its 2006 pledge to double the number of 2010 model year flexible-fuel vehicles it manufactures in the USA. Flexible-fuel vehicles are capable of running on E-85 ..... more GM Looks to Hawaii for Hydrogen Infrastructure Pilot 30th May, 2010 Abundant hydrogen is available on the Hawaiian island of Oahu to power a ramp-up of fuel cell vehicles through a General Motors collaboration with The Gas Company, Hawaii’s major gas energy provider ..... more Lexus CT 200h bound for Australia 29th April, 2010 Due on sale in the first half of 2011, the CT 200h will become the fourth hybrid Lexus model available in Australia ..... more Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Concept 29th April, 2010 In preparation for the Volt’s arrival, Chevrolet is leveraging the Beijing Motor Show, which opened yesterday, to introduce the Volt MPV5 electric concept ..... more Citroen Metropolis Concept 21st April, 2010 Citroen has revealed the spectacular new Metropolis - a sleek and 'muscular' concept car that pays homage to China’s extraordinary development ..... more Hyundai i45 Hybrid and Turbo Versions revealed 7th April, 2010 Part of Hyundai’s global eco-friendly strategy ‘Blue Drive’, Sonata's full parallel hybrid drive system can operate via electric motor, through its advanced petrol engine or a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands ..... more First Chevrolet Volt rolls off the line 2nd April, 2010 Validation of the production process for the Chevrolet Volt passed a milestone on 31st March, when the first pre-production Volt rolled off the assembly line ..... more GM Partners with U.S. Department of Energy to Develop Jatropha-to-Biodiesel Project in India 31st March, 2010 The goal of the project is to demonstrate that jatropha can produce significant quantities of oil for conversion to biodiesel and to develop new varieties of the plant that have high yields, can withstand frost, and grow in temperate climates such as the United States ..... more Think announces expansion of product development facility 30th March, 2010 Scandinavian electric vehicle (EV) maker, Think, has announced a significant investment in a brand new, state-of-the-art product development facility at its corporate headquarters in Fornebu, Oslo, Norway ..... more Mazda takes Toyota's hybrid help 29th March, 2010 Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Mazda Motor Corporation have reached an agreement on the supply under license of hybrid technology used in the Toyota Prius ..... more Honda CR-Z proving popular 26th March, 2010 This new model has already achieved orders of 10,000 vehicles in its first month of sales ..... more Peugeot Ion 26th March, 2010 With the i0n, the 100% electric car to be launched at the end of 2010 in France, Peugeot offers a response to the challenges of urban mobility and environmental responsibility ..... more Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more Chrysler to develop Fiat 500 based Electric Vehicle 25th March, 2010 Chrysler Group LLC has announced its plans to engineer and manufacture a pure electric vehicle using the Fiat 500 platform ..... more High-tech fuel for tomorrow’s cars 25th March, 2010 Holden Energy and Environment Director Richard Marshall said the organisations in the consortium were committed to sustainable motoring through the development of renewable fuels that reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved energy security ..... more Nissan Leaf confirmed for Australia 16th March, 2010 The Nissan Leaf is the world’s first competitively-priced, mass-produced electric vehicle from a mainstream manufacturer. It is serious car, a real car ..... more Mitsubishi welcomes first production i-MiEVs to Australia 15th March, 2010 The new arrivals are the first full-production electric vehicles ever to set their treads on Australian roads and are in the country for MMAL’s extensive pre-sale evaluation programme ..... more Peugeot/Citroen to sell Mitsubishi EVs 14th March, 2010 Mitsubishi has announced the signing of a Final Cooperative Agreement regarding development and supply of the new-generation electric vehicle (EV) i-MiEV* with Peugeot Citroën ..... more Volkswagen sets roadmap for e-mobility 14th March, 2010 Starting in 2013, the high-volume Golf and Jetta models of the Volkswagen brand are expected to participate in the hybrid and electric vehicle market ..... more Lexus LS 600hL upgraded 9th March, 2010 Lexus' full hybrid LS 600hL flagship gains a range of technological and styling improvements for the 2010 model year ..... more Ford's Electric Vehicles 8th March, 2010 Zero-emission Ford Transit Connect Electric to launch in 2011, followed by Focus Electric in 2012 ..... more Hyundai fixes its 'i' on the future 8th March, 2010 The Hyundai i-flow's dynamic, elegant lines not only portray a futuristic silhouette, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics ..... more Ferrari's first Hybrid 7th March, 2010 Ferrari has displayed its first ever hybrid car at the Geneva Motor Show with the Ferrari 599 HY-KERS vettura laboratorio cutting emissions and fuel consumption by 35 per cent ..... more Porsche 918 Spyder concept car 2nd March, 2010 This mid-engined two-seater combines the performance of a super-sports car with the CO2 emissions of a small compact, an innovative plug-in hybrid concept reducing emissions to just 70 grammes CO2 per kilometre and fuel consumption to 3.0 litres/100 kilometres ..... more SEAT IBE concept car 2nd March, 2010 Spain's SEAT is delivering a powerful statement with a compact sports coupé that carries stunning design and great driving fun into the age of electric mobility ..... more Lexus CT 200h set for 2011 release 28th February, 2010 Entering production in late 2010 and set for sale worldwide, the full hybrid model will provide a new gateway to the Lexus range and attract new, younger customers to the brand ..... more Toyota's new Camry Hybrid 28th February, 2010 Using just 6.0 litres of regular unleaded petrol to travel 100 km*, Hybrid Camry is almost 32 per cent more frugal than the automatic petrol Camry ..... more Porsche's new Cayenne 28th February, 2010 The highlight of the new generation Porsche Cayenne to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show later this week is the Cayenne S model with its parallel full hybrid drive ..... more BMW Group to Build Electric Vehicle 28th February, 2010 With this new car, the BMW Group will be providing an innovative solution for sustainable mobility in urban environments. It is being developed as part of project i and is due to reach the market in the first half of the next decade under a sub-brand of BMW ..... more Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style Research Vehicle 24th February, 2010 Mercedes-Benz’ F 800 Style research vehicle is showing the future of premium automobiles from a new perspective, as the five-seat upper-range sedan combines highly efficient drive technologies with unparalleled safety and convenience features and an emotive design idiom ..... more GM Europe's new concept: Opel Flextreme GT/E 21st February, 2010 Opel will unveil its Flextreme GT/E concept car at the 80th Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland next month, that will boost the company’s credentials as a leader in eco-friendly technologies ..... more New Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible 19th February, 2010 The new Supersports Convertible, with the 463 kW twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible ..... more New Volkswagen Touareg 11th February, 2010 The new Touareg has been unveiled in Germany with the confirmation of a petrol electric hybrid powertrain ..... more Kia Ray Plug In Hybrid Concept 11th February, 2010 Kia have chosen America's Chicago Motor Show to debut it's 'Ray' plug-in hybrid concept ..... more Toyota Prius Recall 10th February, 2010 Toyota have launched a global recall of the latest generation Prius in response to reports of inconsistent brake feel ..... more Top of page Toyota at Tokyo Motor Show 7th October, 2009 Toyota has announced that three concept vehicles are to highlight its exhibit for the 41st Tokyo Motor Show ..... more Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation in Denmark, WA ..... more Suzuki at Tokyo Motor Show 5th October, 2009 Combining its worldwide expertise in small-car production with the latest environmental technologies, Suzuki will have a major presence at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month ..... more Peugeot Unveils New Technology on BB1 Concept 22nd September, 2009 The urban-focused vehicle debuts a number of innovative Peugeot technologies designed to address the real world mobility requirements of the residents of future cities ..... more Volkswagen's E-Motor: the E-Up! 17th September, 2009 The fact that the E-Up! concept will also offer driving enjoyment is demonstrated by a look at the car’s classic 0 to 100-km/h sprint time: 11.3 seconds ..... more Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL: First Fuel Cell-Powered Car to Enter Series Production 7th September, 2009 The vehicle’s technological 'heart' is the new generation of the compact, high-performance fuel cell system, in which gaseous hydrogen reacts with atmospheric oxygen at 700 bar to generate a current for the electric motor ..... more BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Unveiled 2nd September, 2009 BMW has unveiled a high-performance concept study with ActiveHybrid technology visualising the dynamic performance typical of a BMW against the backdrop of future demands in sustained mobility ..... more Honda Insight Achieves Top Euro NCAP Overall Safety Rating 1st September, 2009 The new Honda Insight has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, setting the benchmark for hybrid vehicles, according to the new independent crash testing results from EuroNCAP ..... more Toyota Camry Hybrid Pilot Production Begins 1st September, 2009 Toyota Australia yesterday marked the start of pilot production of the fuel-efficient Hybrid Camry with a ceremony at the company's Altona plant in Melbourne's west ..... more Smart "Electric Drive" goes into production 27th August, 2009 Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven Smart Fortwo of the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery ..... more Record sales as new Toyota Prius launches 14th August, 2009 The launch of all-new third-generation Toyota Prius has helped propel the world's best-selling hybrid car to an all-time sales record in Australia ..... more BMW's new ActiveHybrid 7 14th August, 2009 Based on the BMW 7 Series, this unique car will compete with the already established Lexus LS 600hL hybrid luxury car ..... more Kia to share in joint focus on eco-friendly growth 9th August, 2009 Kia will be fully involved in this process with petrol and diesel hybrid vehicles set to follow the European introduction of its emission-reducing cee'd ISG models within the next two years. Kia is also working on plug-in hybrids and has some of the most advanced fuel cell vehicles operating anywhere in the world ..... more Nissan Leaf: a new ZE car 6th August, 2009 Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan Leaf is a medium-size hatchback with a range of more than 160 kms ..... more Nissan readies its EV 28th July, 2009 Nissan has previewed its electric vehicle EV platform on a Tiida-based prototype to demonstrate the superior driving pleasure of a pure zero-emission vehicle ..... more Kia Forte LPI Hybrid Revealed 19th July, 2009 Kia Motors has unveiled its first commercialised hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the Forte Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI) Hybrid in Seoul ..... more Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: a new electric sports car 17th July, 2009 With its new SLS AMG fitted with electric drive, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars is developing an exciting super sports car with zero-emission high-tech drive ..... more Two new hybrids for Honda in 2010 13th July, 2009 Honda has today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z sporty hybrid model in February 2010 and Fit (Jazz) Hybrid before the end of 2010 ..... more Renault at Goodwood Festival of Speed 3rd July, 2009 The two most recent Renault concept cars, offering low or no emissions, plus a pristine 1959 electric Dauphine are all set to bask in England's Sussex sunshine and delight the crowds ..... more Lexus Increases Hybrid Battery Warranty 29th June, 2009 Lexus Australia has announced it will increase all Lexus HV (hybrid) battery warranties to eight years or 160,000 kilometres, whichever occurs sooner ..... more Toyota Extends Prius Battery Warranty To Eight Years 29th June, 2009 Fewer than one-quarter of one per cent of Prius hybrid batteries have been replaced in almost eight years of sales ..... more Toyota Prius: Not All Hybrids Are Equal 24th June, 2009 In the third-generation Prius, Toyota engineers have made comprehensive improvements to this award-winning Hybrid Synergy Drive technology ..... more Hyundai To Launch Elantra LPI Hybrid 18th June, 2009 The Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid will be launched as the Hyundai Avante in South Korea next month. This model is not intended for an Australian release ..... more Space-Age Controls In Toyota Prius Keep Your Eyes On The Road 17th June, 2009 The third-generation Prius features an ergonomically advanced interior that contributes to improved safety by reducing driver eye movement for better concentration on the road ..... more Lexus RX 450h Released Locally 16th June, 2009 The petrol-electric hybrid will consume 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 km and emit 150 grammes of CO2 - an emissions figure not achieved by any other luxury SUV in Australia ..... more Mitsubishi Motors to release new-generation EV 7th June, 2009 Mitsubishi Motors expects to distribute, on a maintenance lease basis, some 1,400 i-MiEV models in fiscal 2009 principally to corporations and to local authorities ..... more Plug-in Subaru Stella to Start Japan Sales 7th June, 2009 Around 170 Plug-in Stellas are expected to be sold during the 'current' Japanese fiscal year, ending 31st March, 2010 ..... more Volvo Cars To Try Plug-in Hybrid Technology 3rd June, 2009 A joint project with Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall will see the production of battery-powered Volvos featuring plug-in hybrid technology as early as 2012 ..... more Mini E: first delivery of zero emission Mini 31st May, 2009 The first of several hundred customers in the United States has taken delivery of a Mini E – a fully electric, zero emissions vehicle—as part of a year-long field study ..... more Mini Cooper Diesel Released 21st May, 2009 The Mini Cooper D is only the third car on the Australian new car market that, currently, offers the automatic stop/go feature ..... more Daimler Acquires Stake in Tesla 21st May, 2009 This investment deepens the relationship between the inventor of the automobile and one of the newest members of the global car making industry ..... more Lexus RX 450h Continues Hybrid Firsts 19th May, 2009 The debut of all-new Lexus RX 450h will herald another hybrid world-first for Lexus, the introduction of the world's only Atkinson Cycle V6 engine in a hybrid ..... more Zero Emissions For Renault EV 18th May, 2009 Kangoo be bop Z.E. is equipped with compact, innovative lithium-ion batteries produced by AESC, a Nissan-NEC joint venture ..... more Advanced Safety Technology In New Prius 8th May, 2009 A radar antenna at the front of the new Prius is central to the technologies that combine to reduce the risk and severity of crashes ..... more Chrysler Reveals Electric Concepts to USPS 26th April, 2009 Chrysler has showed off four all-electric Chrysler Town & Country (known as Grand Voyager in Australia) mini-van concepts to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) ..... more New Toyota Prius Has Cool Technology - No Sweat! 22nd April, 2009 Toyota's next-generation Prius offers "cool" technology - literally - that dramatically reduces in-car temperatures and saves fuel ..... more How To Grow A Prius In Your Backyard 8th April, 2009 The plant-based plastics replace conventional plastics which are made using petro-chemicals, cutting CO2 emissions over the life of the product ..... more GM and Segway Join Forces to Redefine Personal Mobility 8th April, 2009 Dubbed Project PUMA, GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered vehicle that has only two operational wheels ..... more Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster 29th March, 2009 The F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system ..... more New fuels, new models for Europe's Hummer 29th March, 2009 The iconic Hummer range of vehicles looks forward to an exciting 2009 in Europe, with new models and powertrains which expand Hummer's appeal to a wider group of customers ..... more Mitsubishi’s i MiEV Electric Vehicle Hits the Road 27th March, 2009 The i MiEV awareness programme commenced in Adelaide on 24th - 25th March. The Motorcade will then travel to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne ..... more Think EVs To Clog Holland's Streets 23rd March, 2009 It accelerates from zero to 50 km/h in 6.5 seconds and 80 km/h in 16 seconds. With zero local emissions and an energy efficiency three times that of a combustion engine car ..... more Lexus Announces Class Leading Emissions & Economy For New RX 450h 15th March, 2009 On sale from mid-2009, the new full hybrid crossover is the high performance flagship of the RX range, which now enters its third-generation ..... more Zero Emissions Are Up In The Air 9th March, 2009 This odd-looking vehicle might struggle to meet crash testing rules – but it contains technology that could lead to a range of zero-emissions ..... more Giugiaro Revives Classic British Nameplate 6th March, 2009 The company doing the reviving is none other than Italdesign-Giugiaro, and the new Frazer-Nash is a radical hybrid electric car, the fastest of its type in the world ..... more Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen: Step Towards Electric Vehicles for Europe 5th March, 2009 Mitsubishi and Peugeot announced this week that both companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding collaboration on electric vehicles ..... more SHOCK: Holden Volt For 2012 27th February, 2009 It is a local take on the vehicle that has gained acclaim for its ability to travel up to 64 kilometres on electricity before using petrol or producing exhaust emissions ..... more Saab Extends Flex-Fuel BioPower and Two-Stage Diesel Across the Range 26th February, 2009 Saab BioPower combines turbocharging with the use of E85 fuel to deliver increased engine power and improved performance, as well as reduced CO2 emissions ..... more Chrysler at Geneva Motor Show 20th February, 2009 With its rapidly growing portfolio of ENVI-powered Electric Vehicles, Chrysler LLC is inspiring a personal mobility revolution, providing a new generation of responsible, no-compromise Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles for consumers who care about the planet’s future and want to take care of it ..... more Honda Reaches 300,000 Hybrid Vehicles Sales 19th February, 2009 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. yesterday announced that global sales of Honda hybrid vehicles passed the 300,000 unit mark on a cumulative basis at the end of January 2009 ..... more Mitsubishi to show Prototype i MiEV concept at Geneva Motor Show 13th February, 2009 With feasibility testing now underway in Europe, the possibility for Mitsubishi Motors' i MiEV electric car to be launched in Europe draws tantalisingly close ..... more Ford's First Battery Electric Vehicle For USA In 2010 9th February, 2009 Transit Connect with battery electric power is the initial offering in Ford’s aggressive new electric vehicle plan to bring pure battery-powered vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids to market ..... more Mitsubishi Announces Electric Vehicle Study for Australia 4th February, 2009 “Given the current climate of concern regarding our environment, along with unstable petroleum prices, alternative fuel vehicles – and more specifically, electric vehicles or EVs – are a very hot topic at the moment,” said Mitsubishi's Robert McEniry ..... more GM To Reveal Opel Ampera Electric Car At Geneva Motor Show 4th February, 2009 “With the Ampera, Opel will be the first European automobile manufacturer to provide customers several hundred kilometres of non-stop electric driving,” said Alain Visser, GM Europe ..... more Mitsubishi to display i MiEV SPORT AIR Concept at Geneva Motor Show 27th January, 2009 The i MiEV SPORT AIR explores the future possibilities for zero-emission vehicles, placing a greater bias on exhilarating driving pleasure ..... more Plug And Play: The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive 21st January, 2009 The Smart Fortwo electric drive (ed) further demonstrates the pioneering role of this young car brand with an emission-free, highly efficient and quiet two-seater ..... more Chrysler ENVI – Plugged into the World 19th January, 2009 Chrysler's first electric vehicle will be produced in 2010 and a further three models will make it to production by 2013 ..... more Mercedes-Benz Presents a Modular Drive Concept for Electric Vehicles 19th January, 2009 The three BlueZERO variants are based on the unique sandwich-floor architecture which Mercedes-Benz introduced some ten years ago, initially for the A-Class and then for the B-Class ..... more Honda Insight Hybrid Debuts In Detroit 19th January, 2009 "At Honda, we look forward to introducing Australia to the new Insight within the next twelve months" ..... more Top of page Honda Insight Hybrid to Make World Debut at Detroit Motor Show 5th December, 2008 Honda Australia’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno, is looking forward to the Insight arriving in Australia ..... more VW at Bologna Motor Show 5th December, 2008 Volkswagen continues to vigorously pursue its worldwide product offensive. Just two months after the market launch of the new Golf, and two weeks after presentation of a completely new generation of Clean Diesels developed for the Touareg and Jetta in the USA, more new product fireworks are now on display at the Bologna Motor Show ..... more Honda's Hydrogen Powered Sports Concept 30th November, 2008 Honda revealed the FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen powered three-seat sports car concept at the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show ..... more Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles Appear at Los Angeles Motor Show 27th November, 2008 Chrysler is well into the development of advanced production-intent electric vehicles and will apply its electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years ..... more Kia At Los Angeles Motor Show 25th November, 2008 Kia reveals next generation Borrego fuel cell vehicle and production model Soul at the 2008 Los Angeles Motor Show ..... more Improved Fuel Efficiency for Holden Commodore 4th November, 2008 GM Holden has upgraded its Alloytec V6 engine on Omega and Berlina models within the VE Commodore range. The improvement offers fuel savings (ADR 81/01) of up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres for petrol models and an impressive 1.3 litres per 100 kilometres for LPG variants ..... more Fifth Peugeot Design Competition – Winner Announced 4th November, 2008 The competition produced some excellent entries, and first prize was awarded to Carlos Tovar from Colombia, aged 25, for his ‘RD’ concept car ..... more Kia Motors Heralds Four Premieres At Paris Motor Show 26th September, 2008 Soul presents consumers with such a broad selection of styling, comfort and equipment choices, that it redefines the concept of freedom. It's a brand new urban car packed full of liberating ideas ..... more Suzuki Lowers Hot Air Levels In Paris 25th September, 2008 The state-of-the-art vehicle is based on the SX4 hatch, powered by a high-performance fuel cell that emits no pollutants – just water and heat ..... more Tesla To Manufacture All-Electric Luxury Sedan 22nd September, 2008 Model S is Tesla’s zero-emission, five passenger luxury sedan powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. It is expected to have a base price of about $60,000 (USD) ..... more Honda At The Paris Motor Show 11th September, 2008 The two major debuts will be for the long awaited Insight Concept, which demonstrates the direction of Honda's latest addition to its petrol electric hybrid line-up, and a restyled Civic Hybrid ..... more Holden Makes LPG Even More Appealing 7th August, 2008 Private customers can now buy dual fuel LPG-powered Holden Commodores for as little as $400 more than their petrol equivalents ..... more Mercedes-Benz “Road to the Future” 31st July, 2008 Fuel-efficient and environmentally-sustainable premium automobiles from Mercedes-Benz, without the need to forego the characteristic brand features - safety, comfort and refined driving pleasure. This is the strategy of the Stuttgart based vehicle manufacturer ..... more Nissan sets fastest lap for fuel cell vehicle at Nurburgring 31st July, 2008 Eickholt was impressed with the X-Trail FCV which clocked in at 11:58 minutes and zero emissions ..... more Tesla Electric Sports Car To Run In Britain's Arrive ‘N’ Drive Event 29th July, 2008 Former Formula One World driver, Damon Hill, will be driving the Tesla Roadster, the first electric sports car to go on sale in Europe, in England's GreenFleet Capital Arrive ‘N’ Drive 08 event ..... more UK’s First Electric Taxi 18th July, 2008 The electric taxi will be available from October 2008 and is the result of three years research and development by Allied, which is already looking for local authority partners to install recharging networks locally to help drive down urban emissions ..... more Subaru's Plug-in STELLA Concept 11th July, 2008 FHI has announced the successful development of its Subaru Plug-in STELLA Concept model, a prototype electric vehicle ..... more Suzuki Trials SX4-FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle On Japanese Roads 9th July, 2008 The SX4-FCV delivers superior running performance by means of a GM-made high-performance fuel cell, a Suzuki-developed 70 MPa hydrogen tank and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application and uses it to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration ..... more Tesla Prepares For European Launch 11th June, 2008 Following the recent announcement that Tesla Motors has confirmed its decision to enter the European market, the company is now preparing to show the world’s first all-electric sports car at several key events in coming months ..... more A Dud For Rudd 11th June, 2008 Hybrid vehicles, using petrol rather than diesel, are seen by Next Car's editor, Stephen Walker, as a wasted opportunity. Efficient diesels, such as those powering Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Renault and Volkswagen vehicles, amongst others, are saving Australians money at the bowsers and are reducing the CO2 burden on our environment ..... more Volkswagen at the AMI 2008 10th April, 2008 Volkswagen is launching into this year’s automotive springtime with a genuine display of new model fireworks. Six German premieres are currently being presented to the public in Leipzig at the 2008 Automobil International ..... more Mitsubishi at the 2008 New York Motor Show 24th March, 2008 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is displaying the i MiEV new generation electric vehicle at the 2008 New York Motor Show. The company plans to use the vehicles in a joint fleet testing programme in cooperation with select U.S. power companies in the (northern) autumn of this year ..... more Think Electric Car Powers Up For Expansion To UK 23rd March, 2008 UK motorists will soon be able to place orders to buy the UK's first fully electric powered car later this year, when the new so-called TH!NK city electric vehicle (EV) goes on sale ..... more Nissan’s Denki Cube Electric Vehicle Concept Debuts In New York 21st March, 2008 New York City is about to get a lesson in what happens when geography meets geometry – specifically, when the world, which is round, meets the Nissan Cube, which is essentially square ..... more Saab 9-X BioHybrid Boosting Efficiency in Compact Design and Performance 5th March, 2008 The Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is a vivid vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package ..... more United Forces Deliver E85 Motoring First in Brisbane 1st February, 2008 Swedish car maker Saab has joined forces with United Petroleum to help switch on Australia’s first commercially available E85 fuel pumps ..... more Solar Champions Whisper Into Melbourne Motor Show 25th January, 2008 Aurora Vehicle Association will highlight 20 years of progress in solar car design by displaying its latest solar racer beside its original 1987 model ..... more 9-4X BioPower Crossover Concept Signals Saab Product Expansion 17th January, 2008 The Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept, displayed at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, confirms Saab’s plans to enter the growing crossover segment with a dynamic, driver-focused vehicle inspired by Scandinavian design values and respect for our environment ..... more HX Concept Provides Vision Of An Open-Air Hummer 17th January, 2008 With its unmistakable Hummer design and a compact, go-anywhere driving ethic, the Hummer HX concept challenges the hierarchy of the trail. Hummer is displaying the nimble, reconfigurable off-roader at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show ..... more Cadillac Provoq Fuel Cell Concept Delivers Clean, Petrol-Free Performance 17th January, 2008 Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept – a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM’s commitment to displace petrol through advanced technology ..... more Buick Riviera: GM's Chinese Concept Car 16th January, 2008 Engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production this year at Shanghai GM (SGM), GM's joint venture with SAIC, the Riviera features several technological and manufacturing advances ..... more Top of page Mazda Furai Concept and New Mazda RX-8 to Make World Debut 13th December, 2007 Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premieres of the Mazda Furai concept vehicle and the heavily revised new Mazda RX-8 sports car at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS or, as it better known, the Detroit Motor Show) ..... more Chrysler Concept Vehicles Highlight Alternative Fuels 2nd December, 2007 Chrysler has released a sneak preview of the Chrysler ecoVoyager, Dodge Zeo and Jeep Renegade concept vehicles, which will be shown at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show ..... more Volkswagen Up! Honoured at AutoCar Awards in the UK 20th November, 2007 The innovative Volkswagen Up! concept was honoured at the prestigious AutoCar Awards at a ceremony in Westminster on 13th November, 2007, winning the highly competitive Concept Car of the Year category ..... more Volkswagen Space Up! Blue - Clean Drive Revolution "Made in Germany" 16th November, 2007 Volkswagen presents the first car in the world with high-temperature fuel cell Space Up! Blue covers downtown distances with pure battery drive ..... more Honda Reveals New Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car 16th November, 2007 Honda has unveiled the all-new FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles Motor Show, announcing plans to begin limited retail marketing, in USA, of the hydrogen-powered car in mid-2008 ..... more Chrysler LLC Introduce Hemi Hybrid Powered Vehicles 15th November, 2007 With the introduction of the new Chrysler Aspen Hemi Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hemi Hybrid, Chrysler LLC delivers two hybrid-electric vehicles to the North American market that combine fuel-efficient advanced-hybrid technology with full-size sport-utility vehicle performance and capability ..... more Porsche at Los Angeles Motor Show 13th November, 2007 It was this vehicle, Ferdinand Porsche’s first major project completed at the time without layshafts and without a transmission that gave the 24-year-old automobile genius his breakthrough as a pioneer in the history of the automobile ..... more Saab Launches Australia’s First Ethanol Car 19th October, 2007 Saab, a global leader in renewable fuels, has launched Australia’s first ethanol-fueled production car ..... more Volvo ReCharge Hybrid Concept 21st September, 2007 Volvo Cars has unveiled the Volvo ReCharge Concept, a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors ..... more Mercedes-Benz Shows the Future of the Superior Touring Sedan 13th September, 2007 In the words of Professor Dr. Herbert Kohler, responsible for Group Research & Advanced Engineering Vehicle and Powertrain at DaimlerChrysler AG, “With the F 700, Mercedes-Benz shows what the big touring sedan of the future will look like. It offers environmentally compatible mobility combined with utmost comfort and an effortlessly superior drive.” ..... more BMW Concept X6 Hybrid Debuts In Frankfurt 13th September, 2007 The BMW Group has joined forces with General Motors and DaimlerChrysler to form the Global Hybrid Cooperation, to develop the next generation of hybrid drive systems ..... more Peugeot 308 Hybrid – An Environmentally Friendly Car for the Next Generation 2nd September, 2007 At the Frankfurt Motor Show, later this month, Peugeot will showcase its new 308 Hybrid HDi, which emits just 90g/km of CO2 and reduces fuel consumption by 38% in the Combined Cycle compared to a standard 308 HDi ..... more Mercedes-Benz A-Class F-Cell: the First Fuel-Cell-Powered Passenger Car in Iceland 17th July, 2007 With over 100 vehicles, DaimlerChrysler operates the largest fuel-cell fleet in the world: concept vehicles, passenger cars, vans and Citaro city buses. With more than three million zero-emissions kilometres behind it, the company has more data, know-how and experience at its disposal than any other vehicle manufacturer .... more Renault To Sell Megane E85 In UK 17th July, 2007 Renault will launch its bioethanol car into the UK market when the Mégane Hatch E85 goes on sale at the end of 2007 .... more Smart Presents Alternative Drive Systems 10th July, 2007 Smart, as a platform for alternative power choices, has some interesting propositions under development .... more Cadillac To Introduce BLS Wagon in Europe 1st July, 2007 The Cadillac BLS Wagon will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), 15th to 23rd September in Frankfurt, Germany. In addition to its first offering of a station wagon, Cadillac is announcing it will offer an alternative, bio-ethanol-fuel engine for the BLS Sedan and Wagon .... more Promising Breakthrough For Hydrogen Bi-Fuel 1st July, 2007 A British company has a made a breakthrough in converting a conventional petrol car to run on pure hydrogen in a development which promises to slash CO2 emissions and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels .... more Mitsubishi Motors launches flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) in Brazil 25th June, 2007 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and local production and sales company MMC Automotores do Brasil Ltda (MMCB) have announced the development of the first full-feature four-wheel drive flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) to be released in the Brazilian market ..... more UK Government proposes new measures to encourage sustainable Biofuels 22nd June, 2007 UK Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander underlined the Government's commitment to sustainable biofuels yesterday, as he launched a consultation on an environmental reporting system for this type of fuel and a package of measures to complement the reporting requirement ..... more Bio-Fuel Aston Martin Wins 6th June, 2007 An Aston Martin DBRS9 has made motorsport history by becoming the first bio-fuelled car to win a major motor sport event in Britain ..... more General Motors Looking At 'Grassoline' As Alternative Fuel 5th June, 2007 A major step toward diversifying transportation energy supply is as close as the unused corn stalks from this year’s harvest, the waste from timber mills, grasses, or even your own lawn clippings. These and other non-food plant materials can be cost-effectively turned into cellulosic ethanol, which can greatly reduce oil consumption and global warming at the same time ..... more Chevrolet Sequel Drives Into History Books 29th May, 2007 General Motors made history as its Chevy Sequel – the world’s most technologically advanced automobile – became the first electrically-driven fuel cell vehicle to achieve 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, in and out of traffic on public roads, while producing zero emissions ..... more GS Yuasa, MC and MMC To Establish New Company To Manufacture Lithium-ion Batteries 29th May, 2007 GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have begun collaboration on establishing a joint venture company to manufacture large capacity and high performance Lithium-ion batteries that can be used in electric vehicles (EV) ..... more Ford Joins UK's New Eco Rally 27th May, 2007 Future and current Ford vehicles leading the auto industry towards reduced carbon emissions will be part of the first Brighton to London eco rally on 5th June, 2007 ..... more Ford Escape Hybrid Taxis For New York 27th May, 2007 The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid meet the existing New York City taxi requirements and the proposed new fuel economy policy ..... more Connaught Sets Up In Wales 22nd April, 2007 Connaught Motor Company – the team behind the world’s first high performance hybrid sports coupe - is setting up its global manufacturing and R&D headquarters in Wales ..... more Tesla Exhibits World’s First Production Electric Sports Car 9th April, 2007 Tesla Motors Ltd has revealed its all-electric sports car in England ..... more US Car Chiefs Meet With President George Bush 27th March, 2007 Joint statement attributable to Chrysler Group president and CEO Tom LaSorda, Ford Motor Company president and CEO Alan Mulally, and General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner regarding the meeting between President George W. Bush and the CEOs of America’s domestic auto industry ..... more American Car Makers Applaud US President Bush's Commitment to Alternative Fuels 27th February, 2007 American car manufacturers have commended the US President, George W Bush, for continuing to encourage the development of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels ..... more Nissan Pioneers Fuel-Cell Limo 23rd February, 2007 Nissan delivered to Kanagawa Toshi Kotsu the latest version of the X-Trail fuel-cell vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells to be used as part of their chauffeur-driven hire-car fleet ..... more Kia ex_cee’d Cabrio Concept 23rd February, 2007 Kia’s all-new ex_cee’d cabrio concept car will be premiered at the 77th Salon de l’Automobiles in Geneva, Switzerland ..... more Suzuki Previews Fuel Cells At Melbourne 22nd February, 2007 Its futuristic Ionis concept car is powered by a fuel cell and features sophisticated drive-by-wire control systems in a sleek, futuristic body ..... more Honda Hydrogen Power For Melbourne 21st February, 2007 The future of motoring will be on display at the Melbourne Motor Show in the form of a new Honda that consumes only hydrogen and emits only water vapour ..... more Saab 9-5 BioPower 100 Concept Premieres at Geneva 15th February, 2007 Saab will give sustainable motoring a performance boost at next month’s Geneva Motor Show when it unveils its latest BioPower technology – the first production-based engine to be optimised for pure bioethanol (E100) fuel ..... more Volkswagen unveiled the cleanest ever TDI engine 25th January, 2007 A VW Jetta TDI fulfils the most stringent worldwide exhaust gas thresholds with its nitrogen oxide post-treatment system developed by Volkswagen. The USA market launch within the BlueTec alliance is planned for 2008 ..... more Saab Lands First Ethanol Car in Australia 18th January, 2007 A real-world demonstration programme of the first ethanol production car in Australia, Saab BioPower, has began in Queensland ..... more Top of page Volvo XC60 Concept - Six-Cylinder Bio-Ethanol Engine 27th December, 2006 The chosen power-train for the Volvo XC60 Concept, which will debut at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show, is a six-cylinder 3.2-litre bio-ethanol engine with all-wheel drive ..... more Safety Warning On Vehicle LPG 27th December, 2006 Chris Pearce, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, has issued a safety warning to owners of motor vehicles which had LPG conversions or who had their LPG tanks retested between mid 2003 and August 2005 ..... more Renault prepares to develop a mobility solution using electricity 27th December, 2006 As part of "Renault Commitment 2009", the company is pursuing an ambitious plan to reduce emissions. This plan is based on three commitments ..... more Experimental Lotus Exige 18th December, 2006 Lotus has developed a prototype version of its Exige S which is not only the most environmentally friendly, but also the most powerful rendition of the lightweight sports car produced so far ..... more Queensland Premier Trials Australia’s First Ethanol Car 6th December, 2006 Saab Australia this week welcomed the Queensland Government’s commitment to trial Australia’s first ethanol production car, Saab BioPower, with the vehicle joining QFleet in January ..... more BMW Hydrogen 7 Debuts in LA 3rd December, 2006 The world’s first hydrogen-drive luxury automobile – the BMW Hydrogen 7 – has celebrated its world premiere at the Los Angeles Motor Show with the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, congratulating the hydrogen initiative ..... more Honda Shows Off Hydrogen-Powered FCX Concept 21st November, 2006 American Honda has shown off its next-generation hydrogen-powered FCX concept car with a demonstration drive at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California ..... more Peugeot 307 Hybride HDi Diesel 24th October, 2006 As reported earlier this year, Peugeot has extended its diesel hybrid technology programme, applying it to the popular, stylish and versatile 307 CC Hybride HDi ..... more Honda Unveils New Technologies 26th September, 2006 Honda Motor Co has unveiled a range of next-generation engine technologies as part of its global initiative to reduce CO2 emissions ..... more Big plans for Saab BioPower in Australia 5th September, 2006 Saab BioPower, the best selling environmentally friendly vehicle in Sweden, is on its way to Australia to promote the benefits of ethanol, a renewable alternative fuel ..... more Honda and London Police in Hybrid Deal 21st August, 2006 Honda has teamed up with London’s Police in the country’s biggest ever hybrid car fleet deal ..... more Top of page About | Car Clubs | Great Drives | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2003 - 2015   Next Car Pty Ltd.   All rights reserved.