Meet the Kia Soul EV and Niro hybrid concept

Kia revealed three electrified cars at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday, one concept and two that are headed for production. The Niro hybrid is Kia’s future take on a city car, while the Soul EV and new Optima hybrid will be out later this year. The Soul EV is the company’s main focus at the show, judging by our seven pages of press releases on it.

BMW Concept ActiveE at Detroit motor show 2010

BMW has unveiled this rolling testbed for its electric car strategy - the new Concept ActiveE - at the 2010 Detroit motor show. It's a fully electric BMW and a hint of what's to come through the long-range visionary Project i plan which will reshape BMWs for the 21st century.No prizes for guessing it's based on an existing BMW production car, the 1-series Coupé. But the hardware underneath is designed to percolate across the lower echelons of the BMW range, starting with some exciting new bespoke electric cars.The ActiveE is the first fully electric BMW and follows in the treadmarks of the Mini E. Like the Mini, this battery BM will be used as a pilot test programme where it will be driven by selected private and fleet motorists.BMW ActiveE concept: how it worksThis is a rear-drive BMW with the internal combustion engine ditched in a Munich scrapheap.

Bertone to mark its 100th birthday with Turin exhibition

Bertone is celebrating its 100th birthday with an historic exhibition at Turin's National Car Museum from 29 June to 14 October called ‘One hundred years of car design'. With the support of the Italian Prime Minister, the Region of Piedmont, the Province and City of Turin and the UIGA (Italian Union of Automotive Journalists), this exhibition displays an overview of Bertone's most significant models, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint (1954), the Lamborghini Miura (1966), the Lancia Stratos HF (1972) and the Fiat X1/9, which celebrates its 40th birthday this year. Founded in 1912, Bertone is one of the most prestigious and renowned Carrozzeria.