Suzuki A-Star concept (2007): first official pictures

By First Official Pictures 14 December 2007 10:00 Suzuki will use New Delhi’s Auto Expo next January to unveil its latest concept, the A-Star. Aimed at key evolving world markets like India, as well as Europe, the five-door A-Star hatchback will major on minimal environmental impact and real-world affordability, wrapped in what we think is some pretty striking sheetmetal. Details of the A-Star are limited, but we know it will be powered by an all-new Euro 5-compliant 1.0-litre aluminium petrol engine, hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission, that’s said to post an ultra-low CO2 rating of less than 107g/km, combined with exceptional fuel economy.

Vauxhall's 200bhp Corsa leads VXR onslaught

By Angus Fitton Motor Industry 23 August 2006 09:50 Vauxhall is in the final stages of signing off the storming Corsa VXR. The latest VXR runs a turbocharged 1.6-litre developing a thumping 200bhp, spinning the front wheels via a six-speed box. Much of the development work has been carried out at the Nurburgring, which the Corsa has been relentlessly lapping to fine tune the suspension and engine mapping.

SAE approves new fast-charging standard for EVs, plug-ins

SAE International said it has approved a new technical standard that will dramatically reduce charging times for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles. The global engineering group said the new charging standard, developed with the cooperation of more than 190 automakers, utilities and equipment builders, will allow charging times to be reduced from as long as eight hours to as short as 20 minutes. Automakers want DC direct charging to take less than 10 minutes, or roughly the time it takes to fill a tank with gasoline.The goal is to accommodate currents as high as 500 volts distributed from public charging stations.