Go-ahead for £1bn Wales motorway

A £1 BILLION new motorway in south Wales has been given the go-ahead by the Welsh Government. Ministers say a preferred "black route" between Junctions 23 and 29 of the M4, including a new crossing of the Usk south of Newport, will boost the economy as well as ease congestion. But opponents say improving existing roads around Newport would be cheaper as well as kinder to the environment.

Kia Naimo concept at the Seoul auto show explores an electric-powered city car

Kia continues to explore its electric-car capabilities with the Naimo small-car concept, unveiled on Thursday at the Seoul motor show. The boxy, four-seat Naimo fits into the B-size class, which includes cars such as the Honda Fit, the Toyota Yaris, the Ford Fiesta and the Chevrolet Sonic. The Naimo is 153.2 inches long and has a wheelbase of 104.2 inches.

Mercedes SL (2012): aluminium saves 8% weight

Mercedes' new 2012 SL will weigh a solid 140kg less than today's SL roadster - a significant saving of some 8%. This crash diet has been enabled by the adoption of aluminium for the new SL. The learnings from the SLS gullwing are now trickling down to the higher-volume SL, which will be revealed in December 2011.