Converter/inverter/charger Toyota Tacoma 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Inverter on 2040-parts.com

Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Here’s Peugeot’s salvo in the fight to make cars more economical: the 208 Hybrid FE. The supermini concept can achieve a claimed average of 112mpg (and a maximum of 141mpg), and emits only 49g/km of CO2. Peugeot is especially keen to point out it’s a conventionally shaped supermini with five seats, unlike VW’s own super-frugal XL1, which looks decidedly sci-fi in comparison, but has a smaller boot than a Ferrari 458… The 208 FE is 25% slipperier and 20% lighter than a regular 208, but that’s only part of the reason it allegedly achieves such eye-opening numbers at the pumps.

Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid at Tokyo

The Suzuki Swift Plug-in Hybrid Latest to announce their Eco offering is Suzuki, with the Swift Plug-in Hybrid. Principally designed to be an electric car, the Swift plug-in also has a small petrol engine which, when the charge in the lithium-ion batteries is depleted, kicks in to recharge the batteries, rather than drive the car. This is similar to the system implemented in the Opel Ampera and the Jaguar XJ Limo Green with the Lotus Range Extender setup.

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 revealed

2011 Vauxhall VXR8 will cost £50k The world is woefully short of old-fashioned, rear-wheel drive, hairy-chested saloon cars that actually handle. True, there are still some Yank-Tanks around at less than stellar money that do a good impersonation, but for the real deal you need to buy a Vauxhall. Or at least a Vauxhall from Oz – the 2011 Vauxhall VXR8 (which we saw at Goodwood in the summer in Holden clothes).