Strate College degree show 2009

Graduating students from Strate College in Paris, France displayed their final projects in a degree show held at the school's temporary facility late last month. Founded in 1993, the school has outgrown its rented facility and is in the process of relocating to a new purpose-built facility, which will be completed at the start of the next school year. Of the 60 students studying various disciplines, the design exhibition also included the works of 16 students in the Transportation Mobility program.

BMW i3 EV will cost from £30,680 – less than we expected

The new BMW i3 EV (teased above) will costs from £30k The new BMW i3 electric City Car is due to be revealed in production guise on 29th July, ahead of which BMW has revealed it will cost from £30,680 – meaning a showroom sticker price of £25,680 after the EV taxpayer ‘grant’. That price is for the pure EV i3 – not the range-extender – which comes with a rear mounted 168bhp electric motor, a top speed of 93mph and a range (in ideal conditions) of around 80 miles between charges. At a retail price of £25k, the i3 compares favourably with other EVs like the Nissan LEAF, which costs from £21k, and the Chevy Volt at £30k (although that is a range extender).

Kia reveals VR7 spec for 2014 Kia Picanto, Rio and Cee’d models

Kia reveals new VR7 spec for the 2014 cee’d, Picanto and Rio Kia already offers value for money across its range, but the new VR7 trim level for the Picanto, Rio and Cee’d offers even more for even less. All the Kia VR7 models get the same basic additions to the standard spec – AirCon, Bluetooth, alloys, reversing sensors, heated door mirrors and electric windows – with individual models getting additional extra tweaks. The Kia Picanto VR7 – as a three or five door with the 1,0 litre petrol engine – starts at £8795 and adds better upholstery, chrome door handles and a new front grill whilst the Kia Rio VR7 can be had with either the 1.1 litre diesel of 1.25 litre petrol and adds body coloured bumpers, new door handles and mirrors and more safety features to the list.