Suzuki Escudo 2006 Radiator Grille [0010400] on 2040-parts.com

Tomorrow’s world: future car technology news

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 14 October 2009 17:11 CAR's new technology series looks at the car tech developments that will quickly change the shape of the new cars we’ll all be driving in the years to come. We’ve talked to the world’s biggest components suppliers, and interviewed experts at manufacturers across the globe. Our reports detail the innovations and technical advances that will make our cars cleaner, greener, safer and – we hope – keep the fun factor we all enjoy in our cars.

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron price and specs – costs £34,950

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (pictured) costs £34,950 If governments are going to base car taxation on Co2 emissions, then car makers are going to build cars that ‘game’ the official tests. A perfect example of which is the new Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid. It’s expensive at £34,950 (although the government bribe for plug-ins does drop the price you pay to £29,950), but thanks to its ‘up to 31 miles’ range on battery power only it comes complete with official economy of 176.6 mpg and emissions of 37g/km.

New SEAT Leon Ecomotive: From £19,360 & 87g/km

The new SEAT Leon Ecomotive (pictured) is the most frugal Leon ever The new SEAT Leon Ecomotive – which debuted at Frankfurt last month – has now gone on sale in the UK and boasts of being the most efficient Leon ever. Available in 3-door SC, five-door and Touring versions, the Leon Ecomotive manages to improve economy and emissions over the already frugal regular 1.6 litre TDI by cutting emissions to 87g/km, equal to 85.6mpg. Part of the improved economy and emissions is down to weight saving – SEAT are claiming the new Leon  Ecomotive weighs 90kg less – low resistance tyres and improvements in aerodynamics of ten per cent.