Drivers unmoved by electric cars

SUPPORT for electric cars appears to be failing to spark off real interest from drivers, according to a survey of more than 3,000 motorists. Only 1% of UK drivers own an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV), while CO2 emissions are at the bottom of the checklist when Britons are shopping for a new car, the poll by Auto Trader found. Since January 2011, motorists have been eligible for up to £5,000 upfront cost relief on the purchase of a new electric vehicle but the survey showed that 35% of drivers were unaware of this grant.

Mercedes SL65 AMG (2012) first official pictures

If you're wondering why Mercedes is persisting with a twelve-cylinder SL in this downsizing era, understand this: the new 2012-spec SL65 AMG exists purely because many buyers at this end of the market demand more of everything. So a Mercedes SL65 AMG with a hulking bi-turbo 6.0-litre V12 has been launched for customers in China, the Middle East and other emerging markets, where millionaires are numerous and fuel prices less of an impediment to sizeable sales. Over here, we'll just ogle the price tag well into six figures and stick with the big-selling SL350 or SL500.

Tokyo Auto Salon pits performance autos against hybrids

The world's other big January auto show, the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, opened its doors to tuner enthusiasts in mid-month with a record 402 exhibitors. The Auto Salon fuses numerous styles, but the overriding theme this year was hybrid cars, with customized Toyota Priuses and Honda Insights at every turn. Good old-fashioned engine tuning is alive and well in Japan, where even new sports cars are being heavily modified, with cars such as the KRL Mitsubishi Evolution X and the HKS Nissan GT-R both boasting in excess of 600 hp.