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New options make Prius pricey

High-tech features and luxury options will push the redesigned Toyota Prius into new territory--namely, $30,000-plus. The 2010 Prius hybrid will offer options found on luxury cars: systems that automatically park the car in a parallel parking space and slow the vehicle when a crash is likely. But Toyota is aware of a new competitor--the 2010 Honda Insight, a hybrid that is a little smaller and expected to be less expensive than the Prius.

Skoda Yeti and Superb join Skoda’s eco range

Skoda has added eco-variants of the Yeti and Superb during the launch of its second-generation ‘GreenLine’ range at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The badge now covers the entire Skoda range, employing just two direct-injection, common-rail turbo diesel four-pots across all eight models, both of which are used in VW’s BlueMotion cars. It’s the 75bhp 1.2-litre engine for the Fabia and Roomster, while the Octavia, Yeti and Superb get the 105bhp 1.6-litre unit.

Lotus V8: the new engine plan in full

Lotus has confirmed details for its new inhouse V8 engine family, which will make its first road car appearance in the 2013 Esprit. Responding to feedback which said the 'New Era' plan to launch five new models was weakened by its reliance on Toyota engines, the new management team decided last Christmas to design and develop its own engine. 'The feedback from customers was "how can you justify a £100,000 car with a Toyota engine?",' said chief executive Dany Bahar.