30/35hp Johnson/evinrude Outboard Lower Engine Cover 1989 Model on 2040-parts.com

VW Group planning 10-speed DSG, new powerful diesel engine & more plug-in hybrids

The end of the internal combustion engine is nigh, they say, as the world tries to clean up its environmental act and works towards a goal of electric motors to power our personal transport. But car makers are fighting that belief by extracting more power for less fuel from ICE engines, and there’s still a very long way to go before the ICE engine is consigned to the history books. Volkswagen has already reduced the fuel consumption of both their diesel and petrol engines by 30 per cent since 2000 and plan a further reduction of 15 per cent by 2020.

New BMW voice control system

BMW are fitting a new voice control system to their cars from September Hopefully this will work. My own experience of voice control systems is not great – I usually end up doing it manually through the interface. But with BMW’s pretty complicated iDrive system it will be a big plus, and safer, to speak your commands.

Citroen to launch range of Green, Eco cars

Citroen C-Cactus Concept will form the basis of a new range of Citroen Eco-Cars The first of the new range will be based on the existing C4, but feature bodywork based on the C-Cactus Concept (but a wee bit prettier, we hope) and featuring a range of green and economical propulsion systems. Under consideration are an electric version (EV),  a  form of hybrid technology or simply lopping a cylinder off and aiming to bring the Co2 down to under 100g/km. So that will give Citroen three distinct ranges.