Volkswagen Up gets auto ‘box

VW has added an automated manual gearbox across the Up! range which improves emissions and economy. Costs £595.

Volvo S60 L plug-in petrol hybrid heading for Beijing Motor Show

The Volvo S60L Plug-in (pictured) heading for Beijing The Volvo V60 Plug-in is already doing good business for Volvo – despite a price tag of £50k – but the V60 plug-in is a diesel hybrid which doesn’t suit all markets. So Volvo are ploughing ahead with a petrol engine based plug-in hybrid with the debut at the Beijing Motor Show next week of the Volvo S60 L Plug-in, a petrol hybrid version of the long wheelbase S60. At first glance the S60 Plug-in looks just like its regular ICE sibling, but under the skin sits a 2.0 litre Drive-E petrol engine with 238bhp and 258lb/ft of torque – which drives the front wheels – and a 68bhp electric motor with 147lb/ft of torque that can drive the rear wheels, which can be recharged in 4.5 hours.

Lotus for Sale? Proton advised to sell Lotus Group International

Are Proton about to sell Lotus? Analysts are advising Proton – owners of Lotus Group International – to divest itself of the loss-making Lotus. It was always difficult to see any sort of synergy between budget car maker Proton and Lotus.