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AUDI

Here’s a plug-in...

Here’s a plug-in hybrid that you can actually build yourself. Developed by US firm Riley Enterprises, the new three-wheeler kit car, badged XR-3, is capable of 225mpg and a top speed of 85mph. It’s powered by a diesel engine at the front, while a lithium-ion cell drives a motor at the rear – you can shift between the two at the flick of a switch. Its price remains a secret, but the first kits should be ready within the next three months.



It"s the new estate...

It"s the new estate - and the magazine"s spies have already caught the prototype on test. As with the outgoing Passat, the next-generation carrier will offer all the benefits of a traditional estate, as designers have worked hard to achieve the right mix of style and practicality.


News of the day
Safety-conscious manufacturer...

Safety-conscious manufacturer Volvo is seeking permission to let drunken motorists use its cars. The firm wants to try out its latest innovation, which measures reaction time, but Sweden"s strict drink- drive laws are getting in the way. Having a tipple before hitting the road is prohibited in the Scandinavian country, even if driving at a proving ground.

Abarth, the firm that...

Abarth, the firm that found fame tuning Fiats for racing, was officially relaunched last night as a car company in its own right at its spiritual home in Turin. The event saw the production edition of the brand’s first new road model in 25 years take a bow, as the wraps were pulled from the 150bhp 1.4-litre Abarth Grande Punto.

The evening event also marked the grand opening of the marque’s first official dealership. This dedicated showroom is set to be the first of 100 in Europe, and is appropriately based at the same site the firm had occupied until its closure in 1982.

Outlook Express email recovery

A CAR carrying Toyota...

A CAR carrying Toyota personnel was attacked by a gun-toting thug in Brazil. Afterwards, security at the track was beefed up – leading to a fight between Renault boss Flavio Briatore’s personal bodyguard and a trackside bouncer.

THERE were rumours in Sao Paulo that the Prodrive Formula One team due to make its debut in 2008 will come in as an Aston Martin squad. Currently, European billionaires Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere are looking into buying the British firm from Ford. Prodrive currently runs the Astons in sportscar racing.

A former student of...

A former student of the RCA in London, Wouda spent six years in the Czech republic designing for Skoda. Between 2000 and 2006 he worked on projects such as the Roomster and the forthcoming Yeti, before moving to Germany to head up exterior design at the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam, near Berlin. Wouda is head of exterior design and team leader for the VW Concept BlueSport project.

The car has a relatively simple architecture ò€“ itò€™s defined by only a few key features such as the prominent wheel arches. Much of the design is horizontal, that is to say there isnò€™t a significant wedge shape to the profile so it stays connected and parallel to the road.

After 23 cars self-combusted...

After 23 cars self-combusted, the French manufacturer was forced to recall and fix 28,000 vehicles built before May 2003. The fires, which all happened in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, only related to 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol versions. All the cars went up in flames while the engine was turned off.

Investigations by the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology found the source of the problem was the combination of the high salt content in grit used on Scandinavian roads and the long damp winters. This caused a connector in the car"s steering system to corrode heavily, short-circuit and burst into flames. The fire then spread to the rest of the vehicle.


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