Motorola Voltage Regulator; Model 8rg3008; 24 Volt on 2040-parts.com

Toyota Auris Hybrid – Frankfurt debut

The Toyota Auris Hybrid will be at Frankfurt Toyota are calling this the first application of their Hybrid Synergy Drive in a mainstream model. Which makes us wonder if Toyota don’t consider the Prius a mainstream model. They’re also calling this a concept, but we know that Toyota will be producing the Auris Hybrid in the UK next year, so take this as a pretty much production-ready car.

BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive revealed. It’s a plug-in Hybrid X5

The BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive (pictured) will debut at Frankfurt The arrival of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next month doesn’t preview and immediate addition to the X5 range of a plug-in hybrid, but it does show what will be on offer in a year or two. Just like yesterday’s Mercedes S500 plug-in hybrid, the X5 eDrive is another example of how car makers have developed their way round CO2 taxation levels by throwing electric motors at ICE engines to create a car that offers impressive emissions and economy on official tests. In the case of the X5 eDrive that means a four-cylinder twin power ICE engine (BMW aren’t saying, but we’re assuming its a petrol engine), a 94bhp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery under the boot all working together to produce an X5 that is capable (at least in official tests, which is all that matters) of 74.3mpg and emissions under 90g/km.

Fiat 500 1.3 MultiJet Sport Review & Road Test Part 2

The cute & stylish Fiat 500 dashboard Even though the 500 looks cute and cuddly – which it is – its innocent, retro look belies the fact that the 500 is a surprisingly good drive. A 1.3 diesel isn’t an engine I was expecting to be overly entertaining -even if it is one of Fiat’s new MultiJet jobs –  but I was pleasantly surprised. Below 2000 rpm it’s a bit slow and sluggish and, if I am really honest, a bit of a let down.