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BMW i3 EV revealed. It’s clever, but it’s not exactly pretty

The BMW i3 electric city car (pictured) has been officially revealed The BMW i3 – the first of BMW’s production ‘i’ electric cars – has finally been revealed at events in London, New York and Beijing as BMW plots its course to bring a premium electric city car to the world. Looking much like the original Mega City Concept, the i3 debuts a number of innovations from BMW – which are very clever – but it also debuts perhaps the worst looking BMW we’ve ever seen, with its incongruous lines, bulging bonnet, odd shapes on the flanks and slab-backed rear view. But what underpins the i3 is clever indeed, with a lightweight inner body made from carbon fibre and carbon fibre reinforced body panels providing the skin, all conspiring to make the i3 light – 1195kg, despite 25 per cent or so of that being batteries – and very rigid.

Volvo P1800 celebrates 50 years

So far, 2011 has been a significant year with the Jaguar E-Type, Aston Martin DB4-GT Zagato and BMW 'Neue Klasse' all celebrating their 50 year anniversaries. The Volvo P1800, which celebrates its half century anniversary this year, is yet another car entering this exclusive club. The svelte Swedish coupe is ‘perhaps Volvo’s most internationally renowned model,’ according to the brand, and it's easy to see why.

BMW Toyota diesel engine deal not for Lexus

Lexus won't get BMW diesel engines despite the Toyota deal The deal for BMW to supply Toyota with diesel engines for its range in Europe will not extend to Lexus models. The deal for BMW to supply diesel engines to Toyota for Europe (and joint work on advanced lithium ion battery technology) makes a lot of sense. BMW’s diesel engine are possibly the best there are, and Toyota need good diesel offerings in Europe to mop up sales.