Meet the 214-mpg Volkswagen Twin-Up concept

Ahead of a Tokyo motor show debut, VW is showing off the Twin-Up concept. Essentially an advanced version of the company's entry-level Up supermini, the Twin-Up runs a modified version of the plug-in diesel-electric hybrid driveline used in the high-tech XL1 for spectacular claimed combined consumption of 214 mpg on the Euro combined cycle along with a zero-emissions electric range of 31 miles. The Twin-Up name alludes to the new car's twin drive sources.

2013 Mercedes E-Class Coupe & Cabriolet: Price and Specification

The facelift has meant a revised model lineup across the E Class range with just two trim levels, with the entry-level model getting SE trim – but only for the E 220 CDI – and the AMG Sport available across all engine options - E 220 CDI, E 250 CDI and E 350 BlueTEC diesels and E200 petrol. Both trim levels come with COMAND, DAB, speed sensitive electric steering, partial LEDs, Active Park Assist, Attention Assist and Collision Prevention Assist, with the SE getting 17″ alloys, Sport grill, leather, heated front seats and aluminium trim. The E 220 CDI SE Coupe costs from £35,095 and the Cabriolet from £38,465.

GM to slash global vehicle platforms by more than half, to 14, by 2018

General Motors says it will cut the number of vehicle platforms it uses globally by more than half over the next decade, in a bid to reduce complexity and save on product-development costs. “More of our components will be common, and more of our vehicles will be on global architectures,” GM CEO Dan Akerson told analysts on Tuesday. His remarks came as GM kicked off a series of presentations online, billed as its 2011 Global Business Conference.