Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Britain's low-carbon future

By Guy Bird Motoring Issues 25 March 2008 12:36 Higher purchase taxes for high emitters, ‘traffic-light style’ tax discs to indicate a vehicle’s environmental friendliness and mandatory dashboard-based driving efficiency technology are just three recommendations from a new report that looks set to inform Government policy for the next decade. Published on the same day as the Budget, the snappily titled King Review Of Low Carbon Cars Part Two (Recommendations For Action) was lost amid all the hoopla of new tax bands. But now we've had time to scrutinise it, we can assess the proposals that could affect your next car choice, from upfront purchase price to tax and running costs.

BMW Concept X5 eDrive (2013) plug-in hybrid at Frankfurt motor show

Sharing the stage with the BMW i3 at the Frankfurt motor show is the BMW Concept X5 eDrive. The plug-in hybrid X5 is set to re-write the SUV rulebook with its four-cylinder petrol-electric drivetrain producing claimed figures of less than 90g/km of CO2 and a tree-hugging 74.3mpg, smashing the Lexus RX450h which produces 145g/km and 44.8mpg. What’s more, it’s better than the most efficient 3-series currently on sale, and far more frugal than the V8-powered BMW X6 Active Hybrid that was axed in late 2011.

Peugeot 508 leaks early

The Peugeot 508 Estate - turns up a day early It seems like a very long time (it was November last year) since we first reported that Peugeot are dropping the 407 and the 607 and replace them with a new car – the Peugeot 508. Which makes sense, with the 407 getting a bit long on the tooth and the 607 selling nowhere but Paris. We got the first official view of the 508 in the 5 by Peugeot concept at the Geneva Motor Show at the start of the year, and a good looking and elegant Peugeot it looked.