Honda will attempt to prove it is possible for cars to be both sporty and green when it unveils the latest version of its CR-Z Concept at October's Tokyo Motor Show. Petrol-electric hybrid cars are far from a new idea, with models such as the Toyota Prius finding favour with drivers keen to display their environmental credentials. Many of the petrol-electric vehicles currently on the market are worthy rather than exciting, but Honda hopes the CR-Z will change the reputation of the hybrid.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:09:24

Audi has unveiled a new prototype version of its A5 Coupe which incorporates aluminium technology that makes it lighter than ever. The new version of the car incorporates an Audi Space Frame (ASF) aluminium body which makes it 100 kg lighter than an equivalent steel-based model. This technology has also been used in high-end vehicles such as the famous R8 supercar and is designed to offer smoother handling, as well as increasing the engine's performance.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:15:47

Brighton is to become the first city in the UK outside of London to introduce on-street charging points for electric cars. Ten of the installations are being set up around the city, which will allow owners of hi-tech hybrid and electric cars to top up their vehicle's power on the go. The charging points have been part-funded with cash from the Europe-wide Civitas initiative, which is designed to promote green travel and transport networks in cities across the continent.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:09:02

Fans of fast cars have been pointed in the direction of the new 9ff GTurbo 750 Lightweight, which has been described as "frighteningly fast" by a reviewer. The vehicle, which has been adapted by tuning company 9ff from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, has received a glowing recommendation in a new review in the Sunday Times. Among the features highlighted by the reviewer is its ultra-light construction and impressive horsepower, which allows it to hit speeds of 62 miles per hour in less than four seconds.

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:19:54

Volvo is introducing a new braking technology to its forthcoming cars which will stop the vehicle automatically if a pedestrian steps in front of it. The Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety system functions by sensing people and stationary vehicles using a radar and camera built into the Volvo. This will allow the hi-tech braking technology to bring the car to a halt automatically if the driver has not reacted quickly enough.

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:02:28

Sporting gun manufacturer Holland & Holland has launched its own exclusive Range Rover, which it claims to be the most luxurious off-roader ever. The company, along with Range Rover enhancement specialist Overfinch, has taken the standard TDV8 model and added a number of special features to make it stand out from the pack. Among these are a hand-painted and polished exterior, and a cabin decked out with an extra-fine grade of hides, which are normally used only in private jets.

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:13:29

Car manufacturers are starting to make their new vehicles greener than ever before, according to new research. Statistics published by WhatGreenCar have revealed the new 2010 range of vehicles available in the US from top carmakers like Ford, Mitsubishi and Kia are generally achieving better environmental standards than their 2009 counterparts. Chevrolet cars were shown to have recorded the biggest improvements in terms of their fuel efficiency, with other top brands such as GMC and Mercedes-Benz close behind.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:48:18

The latest Bugatti could just become the ultimate aspirational car for drivers who enjoy speed and have a green conscience. Bugatti unveiled its 16 C Galibier concept last week, drawing almost universally positive reviews from motoring experts and journalists. In fact, the stunning styling of the new Bugatti ensured it overshadowed the plethora of new vehicles and concepts launched at the Frankfurt International Motor Show - even though the average driver could realistically afford to buy many of those cars.

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:00:07

Luxury vehicle manufacturer Lexus has introduced the new 2010 model of its GS 450h. The new version of the luxury sports saloon is set to offer a number of distinctive new style features to mark it out from the rest of the pack, including a revised front grille design and a number of new colour options. It will also be offering a number of upgrades to its internal systems, including a navigation system with a 40GB hard drive and a new speaker system option which allows drivers to enjoy 5.1 surround sound.

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:03:57

Fiat has become the only car manufacturer to achieve the European average CO2 emissions goal of 130 g/km. The target, which is due to be reached across the continent by 2015, was reached by Fiat five years ahead of schedule. It revealed that its average CO2 emissions figure on vehicles sold in Europe during the first half of this year stands at 129.1 g/km.

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:22:47