Wheel Hub (front) - Febest # 0182-grj120f on 2040-parts.com

Renault previews new electric vehicle concept

Renault will unveil its latest concept car tomorrow at its plant in Valladolid, Spain. The carmaker says the concept, previewed in one image, will "provide a bridge between the world of Formula 1 and that of electric vehicles". Very few details are available, but look out for further news as the concept is revealed.

2014 Porsche Panamera gets new hybrid

The Porsche Panamera has been restyled and the lineup gains a plug-in hybrid model, along with a new twin-turbo V6 for the Panamera S and 4S models that is more powerful than the former base V8. Also, Porsche is adding a stretched version of the Panamera with 5.9 inches added to the wheelbase for additional rear-seat legroom. The restyled Panamera goes on sale in the United States late this year as a 2014 model.

BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive revealed. It’s a plug-in Hybrid X5

The BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive (pictured) will debut at Frankfurt The arrival of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next month doesn’t preview and immediate addition to the X5 range of a plug-in hybrid, but it does show what will be on offer in a year or two. Just like yesterday’s Mercedes S500 plug-in hybrid, the X5 eDrive is another example of how car makers have developed their way round CO2 taxation levels by throwing electric motors at ICE engines to create a car that offers impressive emissions and economy on official tests. In the case of the X5 eDrive that means a four-cylinder twin power ICE engine (BMW aren’t saying, but we’re assuming its a petrol engine), a 94bhp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery under the boot all working together to produce an X5 that is capable (at least in official tests, which is all that matters) of 74.3mpg and emissions under 90g/km.