Audi A4 Avant 8d5, B5 Tailgate Handle 1.90 Diesel 66kw 1997 14541763- on 2040-parts.com

Volkswagen E-Golf to get limited testing release

Starting in April, Volkswagen of America will launch a test fleet of battery-powered E-Golf cars in select metro areas. More selective than the BMW ActiveE program that included 700 drivers, Volkswagen will release only 20 EVs, 12 of which will be allocated to company employees. Volkswagen said in a release that the purpose of the test is to conduct research and gather information on driving patterns, electric performance and climate conditions.

The other side of the curtain: A look back at Lada, Volga and more

While Americans in the 1960s and '70s were enjoying the heyday of muscle-car madness, our friends over in the Soviet Union were treated to an entirely different kind of automobile. Fiat-based Ladas and Russian-born Volgas were the cars of the day, and our friends at Retronaut have gathered some press materials and advertisements for the compact sedans. Lada was named after a famous Czech manufacturer of sewing machines in the 1960s.

BMW i3 Concept Coupe (2012) first photos

BMW has converted its i3 electric hatchback into a three-door. Munich might call it the new BMW i3 Concept Coupe, but essentially it's the hatch minus a pair of doors. Receiving its world debut at the 2012 Los Angeles auto show, which starts later today, the new BMW concept car is another spin-off from the Project i electric car family and proves that Munich plans a whole family of EVs when the range launches in 2013.