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Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

2013 Audi S8 engine tech laid bare in new videos

Here's one for the tech geeks: Earlier this month we drove the 2013 Audi S8 sedan, where we came to the conclusion that the 520-hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 was just right for the executive-class cruiser. The S8 is a heavyweight, but it moves like a cruiserweight or better. The 0-to-60-mph sprint takes just 3.9 seconds, or about the same amount of time it takes to sneeze, wipe your nose and get blessed.

Top Gear: Range Rover Evoque, McLaren MP4-12C & Sebastian Vettel

The McLaren MP4-12C tussles with the 458 on the Top Gear track Are we sure? Is the McLaren MP4-12C really going to be at Dunsfold going round the track in the hands of Jeremy Clarkson and combating the Ferrari 458 Italia this week? Well, we’re as sure as we can be.