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Volvo makes breakthrough in battery tech

Volvo has developed a new way of ‘storing’ energy for its future electric vehicles. The Swedish firm is exploring the concept of lightweight structural energy storage components made from carbonfibre, containing “nano structured batteries and super capacitors.” This technology is said to offer a lighter, more compact solution to the problem of energy storage, potentially removing the need for the heavy, bulky batteries used in current electric vehicles. On Bing: see pictures of the Volvo S80 Find out how much a used Volvo S80 costs on Auto Trader The investigation into the new technology is part of an EU-funded research project, undertaken by Volvo – the only major car manufacturer involved – and nine other organisations.

Ford Focus redesign revealed ahead of New York auto show

Ford is set to reveal a redesigned 2015 Focus sedan at the New York Auto Show next week, on the heels of the debut of the Focus hatchback in Geneva last month. The automaker will present the whole range of Focus cars, which are due to go on sale later in the year. The Focus sedan will feature a heavily reworked exterior design, adopting the hexagonal corporate grille of the larger models, a redesigned front fascia, and new headlights.

Chevrolet at the Paris motor show 2008

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 02 October 2008 18:40 General Motors’ Chevrolet stand was buzzing at Paris with two world debuts – the Chevrolet Cruze production saloon and Chevrolet Orlando seven-seater show car – plus two important European production unveils: the electric Volt and Camaro muscle car. All Chevrolets from now on will be global models and reflect a new ambition for quality, as GM’s global vice president of design Ed Welburn told CAR. 'Chevrolet is raising the bar where it matters the most – in the value segment.' The Cruze is a Skoda Octavia-sized four-door on the new Astra platform with reasonable exterior styling and a genuinely high standard of interior fit and finish.