Lexus GS 300h: Shanghai Motor Show

Offering much better economy than the GS 450h, it offers not only a viable alternative for private buyers looking for a bit of beautifully built Japanese luxury with lower running costs, but also makes the GS a much more appealing option for company car drivers – probably where most of the sales will be made. Lexus are aiming for Co2 emissions below 110g/km for the GS 300h (the IS 300h manages 99g/km) which will give headline economy around 60mpg – a third better than the GS 450h can manage. Power comes from the same hybrid drivetrain as the IS 300h, which means a 2.5 litre petrol mated to an electric motor and delivering 215bhp and o-62mph in around 8.5 seconds.

Land Rover reveals Range Rover Hybrid at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Land Rover has launched the world's first posh diesel hybrid at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Range Rover Hybrid promises V8 diesel performance but with 25% lower CO2 emissions and economy of more than 44mpg. The new Range Rover Hybrid range actually goes on sale today, during the first press day of the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, with Land Rover delivering the first models in early 2014.

2014 Kia Forte sedan pricing set at $16,700

UPDATED: The base 2014 Kia Forte sedan will cost $16,700 including destination when it goes on sale next month, fitting slightly below its compact competitors. Kia is touting the 2014 Forte as the least expensive in its class, and the compact sedan does in fact cost $80 less than the redesigned 2013 Nissan Sentra at $16,780, $90 less than the new 2013 Dodge Dart at $16,790 and $225 less than the 2013 Ford Focus sedan at $16,995. The new price is a slight increase from the 2013 model, which cost $16,175 after shipping charges.