Volvo Penta Serpentine Belt 3586326 4.3 5.0 5.7 on 2040-parts.com

Meet the 214-mpg Volkswagen Twin-Up concept

Ahead of a Tokyo motor show debut, VW is showing off the Twin-Up concept. Essentially an advanced version of the company's entry-level Up supermini, the Twin-Up runs a modified version of the plug-in diesel-electric hybrid driveline used in the high-tech XL1 for spectacular claimed combined consumption of 214 mpg on the Euro combined cycle along with a zero-emissions electric range of 31 miles. The Twin-Up name alludes to the new car's twin drive sources.

BMW Group unveils in-car G-force and tea-drinking engine

BMW AND Mini have today unveiled pioneering new technologies that produce artificial G-force and even let an engine run on tea leaves. BMW has revealed plans for a system called Force Injection Booster (FIB), which when activated fires artificial gravity at the driver and passenger through the air conditioning vents. But the style-conscious needn’t worry, because the German firm has also patented AirNet, the world’s first in-car hair protection technology.

Peugeot 508 RXH HYbrid4 Frankfurt debut – on sale Spring 2012

Peugeot 508 RXH - on sale Spring 2012 It’s a bit of a Peugeot day today, what with the impressive HX1 Concept news and now we learn that Peugeot’s take on the Audi Allroad – the Peugeot 508 RXK HYbrid4 – will get a public airing at Frankfurt next month before going on sale in Spring 2012. But you already know that; we told you back in July that Peugeot were planning on taking the 508 RXH to Frankfurt and that it would go on sale next Spring. So what’s news.