Daihatsu Tanto 2007 Condenser [0260600] on 2040-parts.com

Driven: a week with a Chevrolet Volt

In Fall 2010, before the Volt went on sale in North America, we sampled an early build model and came away so impressed, we declared it the car for the digital age. Since then the car has received harsh criticism from the press and been outsold by the Nissan Leaf in the North American market. Given the unique powertrain, we felt longer exposure to the Volt was therefore in order, so on a recent trip to Michigan, we lived with one for five days.

Swedish raincoat company teases Volvo Concept Estate

Volvo has brought the station wagon back to America; one small slice of the automotive continuum has been set to right. But the new V60 is a rather slinky, sporty thing, far removed from the box-plus-box-equals-box machines of the wagon's Stateside heyday. If this glimpse of the Swedish brand's new Concept Estate is any indication, do not expect a reversion to angularity when the next generation of cars arrives.

BMW's yearlong Mini E trial exposes infrastructure problems

Early next decade, BMW of North America plans to sell an electric "megacity car" as a subbrand of BMW, similar to the brand's M high-performance cars. But further details are skimpy. BMW already is preparing for that launch.