New car ‘sales’ up over 10% in 2014

Sales of AFVs – like the Auris Hybrid – have grown over 50% The story of new car sales in the UK continues on its seemingly ever-upward path, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting new car registrations in the UK up by over 10 per cent in the first half of 2014. A total of 1,287,265 new cars have been registered in the UK so far this year (although previous evidence would suggest a good 400,000 of those are dealer pre-reg cars), the highest figure since 2005. And as Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs – those powered by anything other than a single fossil fuel source e.g.

It's (almost) alive: General Motors and NASA develop a humanlike robot for the International Space Station

General Motors and NASA have teamed up to develop Robonaut 2, which will be the first humanlike robot to take up permanent residence on the International Space Station. Known as R2, the 300-pound robot will use its “hands” and “arms” to utilize the tools of the station. It will assist astronauts, which GM says has parallels with helping its workers in factories.

SEAT Altea Copa & Altea XL Copa Editions launched. Price from £16,425

The SEAT Altea Copa and Altea XL Copa Editions have been launched by SEAT with more equipment for no more money. The SEAT Altea has been with us for a very long time and is not quite as enticing as it once was as a sporty take on a compact MPV – based on the SEAT Leon with a higher roofline and slightly raised suspension  – so SEAT are launching the Altea Copa (and Altea XL Copa) to try and breathe a bit of life in to Altea sales. In the process of launching the Altea Copa, SEAT are also simplifying the Altea range a bit by dropping the ‘S Emocion trim along with the 1.4 litre 85 PS and 1.4 TSI litre 125 PS petrol engines, which leaves three engines to choose from in the Altea range - 1.2 TSI 105 PS, 1.6 TDI 105 PS, and 2.0 TDI 140 PS.