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VW e-Golf & e-Up! electric cars Frankfurt debut

The VW e-Golf & e-Up! electric cars (pictured) will debut at Frankfurt. Electric cars may be a niche market, but that hasn’t stopped car makers trying to take a piece of whatever action there is, especially as governments around the world are subsidising EVs and and their zero emissions at point of use will help (as long as they sell any) their average CO2 levels.

Jaguar hybrid cars due in 2013-14

Jaguar will launch its own hybrid vehicles soon after Land Rover, CAR can confirm. Parent company Jaguar Land Rover is developing battery-assisted hybrid versions for both brands but its strategy puts part-electric Land Rovers first on the launchpad in 2013.Hybrid Jaguars – set to include the XJ and XF, but eventually every model – are therefore likely to be on the market by 2013-2014, using a similar eight-speed ZF hybrid transmission to petrol-electric BMWs.The staggered roll-out of battery Jags and Land Rovers makes sense: heavy 4x4s have come in the firing line from green protestors who label them Chelsea Tractors. Hybrid Land Rovers will trim emissions and – in plug-in hybrid mode – enable even big bulky Range Rovers to drive in zero-emissions mode into central urban areas emitting nothing more unsaintly than an electric whir.So which Jaguars will go hybrid first?It's likely that the largest models such as the XJ will receive the hybrid power packs first; large cars reap the greater benefit and can more easily swallow the additional cost, put at around £10,000 in today's money.JLR's Midlands engineering bases in Whitley and Gaydon now employ 100 engineers in the expanding hybrid powertrain business unit launched 18 months ago.

Lexus RC Coupe revealed at Tokyo Motor Show

The Lexus RC coupe debuted on Wednesday at the Tokyo motor show. The RC coupe will available with two different powertrain options; the RC 350 will use a 3.5-liter V6 producing 314 hp, coupled with an eight-speed automatic gearbox including paddle shifters. The RC 300h will be fitted with a 2.5-liter inline four producing 176-bhp combined with an electric motor.