Renault Fluence Z.E.

Honoring its 2009 Frankfurt motor show pledge to offer EV's by 2012, Renault has announced the Fluence Z.E., which will soon be offered alongside its conventionally-powered sibling. In making its transition to EV, the Fluence has undergone several changes; the most obvious being the battery pack which dictated an increase in the car's overall length. The extended rear quarter panels, which equate to the 130mm growth, add a sizeable visual weight to the rear of the car.

Public supports 20mph urban speed limits

78% of people think 20mph speed limits should be introduced as the norm in residential areas, around schools and in town centres, according to road safety charity Brake. It comes as the charity introduces its GO 20 campaign, calling on politicians to support changing the default urban speed limit to 20mph. Backlash at increase in 20mph areas predicted On Bing: see pictures of 20mph zones 20mph zones are already widespread in some areas – with Brake claiming these areas have seen significant reductions in crashes.

Autoweek in review: What you might have missed

At the start of the week, Kia announced that it will launch a rear-wheel-drive sedan code-named the KH in the first half of 2012. U.S.-based press officials wouldn't comment on whether the KH would come stateside, despite a 36 percent increase in U.S. Kia sales in 2011.