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

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price The BMW i3 – BMW’s first foray in to a world of electric cars – was officially revealed in July – and due on sale in 2014 – and seems, by electric car standards, to be almost affordable. At a starting price of £30,680 – £25,680 after the taxpayer bribe for EV buyers – it’s no more expensive than other electric cars and does come with some clever technology – and the BMW badge – that will help it move out of showrooms. But as we reported as far back as 2011, the BMW i3 is to get a range-extender option – a small petrol engine that kicks in to recharge the batteries when they get low – which will make the i3 a much more practical proposition.

Lexus LF-CC concept car (2012) first official pictures

It’s taken some time, but Lexus lovers will be delighted to learn of the new slender LF-CC concept unveiled at the Paris motor show this week, which looks set to replace the current IS range. The LF-CC concept sports a sleek coupe-style body, suggesting its latest family saloon could be a real head-turner. For the first time ever, the IS will be available with the all-new 2.5-litre full hybrid engine, which is soon to be fully incorporated into the Lexus model range.

Audi Q8 confirmed, or is it the Audi Q9?

We’ve long wondered when Audi would get round to expanding its range of ‘Q’ badged SUVs to include sporty coupe SUVs as well as a new range-topper bigger than the Q7. But Audi Chairman chairman, Rupert Stadler, said back in 2011 that Audi was inclined to ignore the sector above the Q7 and instead concentrate on more compact SUVs. Which makes sense for the European market, but does it makes sense for China and the USA?