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Renault working on 141mpg plug-in hybrid concept

Renault is working on a 141mpg plug-in hybrid concept car to be shown at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, according to Renault head of research, advanced studies and materials, Remi Bastien. Speaking to at Renault’s ‘Innovations’ event last year – showcasing the French manufacturer’s new technology that will underpin its next-generation models – Bastien revealed the new car will make its debut in 2014. On Bing: see pictures of Renaults Find out how much a used Renault costs on Auto Trader This means the ‘2l/100km’ concept car will likely make its first public appearance at Renault’s home Paris Motor Show in October, debuting experimental technology that could later filter down to other models in the Renault range.

Saab: China’s Pang Da & Youngman to invest $7.5 billion. UPDATED

Saab: China to invest $7.5 billion Update: We have now been told by Saab that Pang Da and Youngman are to provide €50 million immediately and €600 million for short to medium finance. Funding for the revised business plan and provide long-term financial stability the new Chinese owners have also budgeted funding for the planned expansion of Saab Automobile’s portfolio and additional operations to be set up in China There will be a reduction of 500 in the employee numbers. Sales targets for 2012 of 35-55,000 cars and 2013 of 75-85,00 and long-term of 200,000 cars a year Interestingly, Saab says that ‘Saab Automobile has not received the funds from Pang Da and Youngman that have been committed for today.’ Oh, well. Although the deal which will see Saab sold to China’s Youngman and Pang Da is still subject to a raft of approvals – Swedish Debt Office, EIB, GM, Chinese Government… – it seems the Chinese have big plans to invest up to $7.5 billion in Saab in the coming years.

Kia GT and Provo look to be heading in to production

The recent Kia Provo Concept and the impressive Kia GT look like they’re heading in to production as Kia move upmarket. Equally, the stunning Kia GT concept we saw at 2 years ago at Frankfurt  - a swoopy coupe Kia take on the Mercedes CLS – was equally convincing, although we’d begun to think Kia had gone cold on the idea of putting the Kia GT in to production. But Auto Express are reporting that both the Provo (with a change of name ) and the GT are close to being signed off for production after a conversation with Benny Oeyen, Kia’s marketing boss in Europe.