Monroe 72445 Rear Oespectrum Strut on 2040-parts.com

BMW 7-series hybrid due in 2009

By Nick Gibbs Motor Industry 07 July 2008 14:30 BMW will launch a hybrid petrol version of the newly unveiled 7-series in 2009, but admits it’s more for green-leaning V8 addicts than seriously eco-aware bosses. Even with the latest lithium-ion batteries, the forthcoming 4.4-litre V8 petrol-electric version will struggle to match the astonishing 39.2mpg and 192g/km of CO2 of the new six-cylinder diesel, especially when BMW will launch stop-start technology for the whole range within two years. The hybrid is likely to cost several thousand more than the £65,000 it’s estimated you’ll need to buy the regular, twin-turbo 750i that goes on sale in November 2008.

Happy New Year: Our favourite cars of 2010

Our favourite cars of 2010 Happy New Year to every single one of our readers. Who now number 250,000 every month and read getting on for 1 million stories. Which considering two years ago we were the only ones reading Cars UK, and even last New Year we could only claim 250,000 stories a month, means we must be doing something right.

Mazda Minagi concept

Mazda is set to reveal a new concept at the 81st Geneva motor show in March. Called the Minagi, the concept previews a new entry-level compact crossover, which will likely be called the CX-5 when it makes its production debut in Frankfurt later this year. The compact SUV is alleged to 'fully embrace' both Mazda’s Skyactiv technologies as well as the Kodo design language that debuted on the Shinari concept late last year.