Lexus prices the CT 200h at $29,995

Lexus Division said today it will price its entry-luxury CT 200h hybrid hatchback at $29,995, including destination charges, when it goes on sale in March. The CT 200h uses a version of the powertrain used in the Toyota Prius, and rides on the same platform as the more expensive Lexus HS 250h sedan. Lexus claims the vehicle will get 42 mpg in the combined driving cycle.

New car sales accelerate again

NEW CAR SALES could be back to pre-recession levels by the end of this year after a good start to 2014. Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show there were 176,820 new vehicles registered in April - an 8.2% rise on the same month last year. Last month's figure took the total for the year so far to 864,942 - a 12.5% increase on the first four months of 2013.

Chrysler developing new supercharged Hemi V8

Chrysler Group is developing a supercharged Hemi V8 with power approaching the 640 hp of the SRT Viper's V10. The 6.2-liter engine, code-named Hellcat, is expected to debut on the next-generation Dodge Challenger and perhaps other vehicles, according to sources within Chrysler. The engine's existence was revealed on the Internet site Allpar.com and confirmed by Chrysler insiders.