01 Yamaha Waverunner Xlt1200 Exhaust Connector Pipes Xa1200 on 2040-parts.com

Skoda reveals baby hot hatch

By Phil McNamara/Georg Kacher Motor Industry 19 September 2006 10:16 Skoda is making a bid to lead devlopment on the Volkswagen group's new small car, by unveiling this dynamic three-door design study, the Joyster. The sub-Fabia sized hatchback would take on cars like the Citroen C2 and 2008 Ford Ka replacement. Skoda says the Joyster has decent interior space, and an airy feel thanks to a full-length sunroof.

Honda Insight (2012): now cleaner and sub-100g/km

Honda will unveil the revised Insight hybrid car at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show – and CO2 emissions have finally been tickled under 100g/km. The five-door hatch now boasts a CO2 rating of 96g/km. So – under current tax regimes – you won't pay a penny in annual road tax or the London congestion charge.

China to boost electric cars with 30% Government EV fleet

The BYD E6 EV (pictured) will benefit from China’s push on EVs The UK government has just announced its commitment to use electric cars for its own vehicles in an effort to boost the take-up of EVs, but China is going even further. China has ordered government officials to start buying electric cars (that means BEVs, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars) in a big way, with instructions that 30 per cent of government cars must fall in to the ‘New Energy’ category by 2017, and an even higher percentage going forward. The aim is to cut pollution, and China expects to have 5 million New Energy cars on the road by 2020 and it is urging it government agencies and some city governments to start buying New Energy vehicles from Chinese makers like BYD and SDAIC, but also instructing them to build more charging stations and supporting infrastructure.