A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Volvo plug-in V60
VOLVO IS working on a diesel/electric plug-in hybrid version of its recently launched V60 estate, which it hopes will achieve emissions levels of below 50g/km and a fuel consumption figure of just
1.9 l/100km (149mpg). The car is due to enter production in 2012. A prototype is due to go on display at the Geneva Motor show, which opens next week.
It features a 2.4-litre 212bhp D5 turbodiesel engine, which will power the front wheels, while the rear axle are powered by a 69bhp electric motor that is charged from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
BMW unveils new sub-brand
BMW HAS LAUNCHED a new sub-brand called i for its future plug-in electric and diesel-electric range extended vehicles. First up will be the new i3, a version of the firm’s current MegaCity concept, and the i8, a production version of its Vision EfficientDynamics concept sports car that has featured in numerous advertising campaigns of late.
Alongside the new models there will be a host of new connectivity features launched under the i brand, potentially ranging from systems that identify nearby vacant parking spots to car-sharing schemes. These services are intended to be available to regular BMW owners as well.
The firm claims the new BMW i models will feature the latest advances in carbon fibre technology for the bodyframe, thereby overcoming the extra weight of the batteries.
The new architecture, which goes under the name LifeDrive, uses an aluminium chassis to house the driveline, with the passenger cell made from carbon fibre.
Both cars will be built at the firm’s Leipzig plant, which is being redeveloped to take account of the new technology planned for the i range of vehicles.
First look at next S-Class
AT THE EARLY stages of development, this is the next generation Mercedes S-Class due for 2013. While the car is heavily camouflaged, it appears a little wider and longer than the current S-Class. Regardless, styling is expected to be influenced by the F700 concept of 2007.
Under the hood, we can expect Mercedes to introduce the new “MoVe” (modular V6 and V8) engines. Details are limited, but the engines will feature direct injection and turbochargers. As previewed by the Vision S500 plug-in hybrid concept, Mercedes will offer an S-class plug-in hybrid that will be able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than six seconds while averaging at least 3.3 litres per 100km.
On the performance side, the 6.3-litre V8 from the S 63 AMG will be replaced by a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8. Despite this good news, the V12s from the S 600/S65 AMG may be discontinued.