Cabbies test new British-built hybrid Black Cab

LONDON cabbies have seized the chance to test the first in a new wave of low-emissions taxis. At Metrocab's testing facility in Surrey, representatives from the Capital's taxi world met London Mayor Boris Johnson, who after driving the car threatened to turn into Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson. The Mayor joined Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) General Secretary Steve McNamara, and London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) Chairman Grant Davis to put the Metrocab’s zero emissions capability to the test.

Skoda Yeti Xtreme is yet another VW Group concept heading for Worthersee

The Skoda Yeti Xtreme (pictured) is another SEAT concept for Worthersee The Skoda Yeti Xtreme has been revealed by Skoda as their second concept car heading for the Worthersee Show, but instead of a cute, open-top city car like the Skoda CitiJet we get a rufty-tufty Yeti with aspirations to go rallying. Cosmetically, the Yeti Xtreme gets a matt grey paint job, 17! alloys with off-roading tyres, tinted windows, a new front bumper with bigger air intakes, a bigger back bumper with dual exhausts and a set of LED lights.

Smart Forspeed concept signals new design direction

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand. Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized Forspeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next Fortwo and the revived Forfour, which will be launched in 2014. "The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts.