BYD E6

This sounds like a good call. A mobile phone battery maker in China unveiled three new cars at the Detroit Motor Show – including the world’s first electric MPV, the E6.
Build Your Dream, or BYD, said a 50 per cent recharge will take only 10 minutes and offer enough power to carry the 2,020kg E6 up to 186 miles. The five-seater model’s all-electric powertrain will deliver 286bhp and 550Nm of torque. BYD also revealed details of a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid hatch, and a supermini called the FO. All three models could go on UK sale by 2011.

Electric 2+2 on show

Mitsubishi is set to reveal a new version of its electric i MiEV Sport concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The vehicle will preview the sporty 2+2 due in 2011. As with the ‘i’ supermini, it will be built at Mitsubishi’s expanded electric car factory in Japan, set to open in 2011. It can produce 20,000 models per year.
Mitsubishi has shown a 2+2 i MiEV Sport concept before, at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon. That had four-wheel drive and 430Nm of torque, and did 124 miles on a charge. The second-generation version is likely to get a new look and production-ready technologies including lithium-ion batteries sourced from Mitsubishi’s joint venture with electronics giant GS Yuasa.

New Boxster gets new looks and ultra cool interior!

Porsche has only just unveiled the facelifted Boxster, but that hasn't stopped its engineering team getting work developing the all-new car, due in late 2011.Auto Express' exclusive shots of the newcomer also reveal that the interior shares much in common with the larger Panamera four-seater, with the enlarged rev-counter sitting pride of place within Porsche’s trademark five-pod instrument binnacle. The dash is dominated by new sweeping air vents too.The new Boxster will be wider than the outgoing model. The increased track will help high-speed stability, whilst also giving passengers increased room.Forthcoming pedestrian impact regulations also mean that front of the Boxster will be quite different to today’s car. The legislation also necessitates moving the wing-mirrors to the doors, which will also be a feature of the new 911, due around the same time as the Boxster.The flipside of this is that aerodynamics can be improved, and a new active rear spoiler will further enhance the car’s ability to cut through the air.Porsche will also concentrate on reducing the car’s weight, and, while the revised direct injection six-cylinder petrol engines will remain virtually unchanged, Porsche will introduce an entry-level turbocharged VW-sourced four-cylinder unit for the first time. Six-speed manual and PDK double clutch gearboxes will be available too.The current Boxster and Cayman are built by Valmet in Finland, but sources claim that Porsche has negotiated a more competitive deal with Austria’s Magna Steyr, that will take over the car’s construction.

Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin's £1.2m supercar is clearly still camera shy...but that didn't stop the firm giving Paris show visitors a surprise sneak preview of the model!
The One-77 remained partially under wraps, but still bared a revealing chunk of its luxurious carbon fibre body. A section of the car's nose, its huge six-spoke alloys, deep side air intakes, and sculpted rear were also visible.
Designed as a piece of 'working art', the car combines Aston's latest technology and heritage styling. As the name suggests, only 77 will be made, but according to Aston chief Ulrich Bez there has already been serious interest from around 100 potential customers - despite the phenomenal pricetag!
At the same time, Aston has officially unveiled a second teaser shot of the bespoke supercar.Set to be powered by a 7.3-litre V12 engine with an output ‘expected to top 700bhp’, the One-77 will boast a top speed of over 200mph and feature ‘active aerodynamic technology’. Presumably that refers to a retractable rear spoiler, which would explain the cut out section seen clearly beneath the rear glass in this new image. Underpinned by a new carbon fibre monocoque, the two-seater retains the classic Aston Martin look, although it adds aggressive side scoops and detailing, such as the roof creases and bonnet vents, to set it apart. Weight is expected to hover around the 1,500kg mark, and the car will get adjustable suspension and carbon ceramic brakes. All 77 One-77 customers will be able to specify either a right or left-hand-drive car, with the opportunity to work with Aston Martin in creating a completely bespoke vehicle – with the entire interior and chassis set-up open to customisation.

Mitsubishi Colt

The Colt is facing up to a bright future! These are the first pictures of the facelifted city car, which received its global unveil at the Paris Motor Show.
But it doesn’t just get a stylish new look inspired by the Evo X performance saloon – Mitsubishi also used the show to reveal that its ‘Cleartec’ eco-friendly strategy will debut on the Colt. The 74bhp 1.1-litre model gets stop-start technology for the first time. This reduces CO2 emissions by 10 per cent to 116g/km, making the supermini one of the cleanest models in the class. It goes on sale this month, while next year the Colt will be available in Flexfuel form, which means it will be capable of running on bioethanol. The firm has also revised the hot Colt Ralliart version, which has stiffer suspension for a more involving driving experience. It goes on sale in January.
Meanwhile, the company has confirmed it will be bringing around 200 examples of its i-MiEV electric car to the UK next year – making Mitsubishi the first manufacturer to sell a supermini that runs purely on electric power. It is waiting to see if there is any Government assistance for the clean, green plug-in machine, but the firm anticipates a price tag of between £15,000 and £20,000.

New Mazda 3

It's Mazda's new 3 for all! The Japanese firm has confirmed that a four-door saloon version of the all-new Mazda 3 will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 19th November 2008.While the UK will have to wait until next year to see the five door hatchback that's tipped to be the top seller here, this brand new machine does offer a strong flavour of what buyers should expect.The all-new model is the latest addition to Mazda’s reinvented product line up and follows the introduction of the all‑new Mazda 2 and all-new Mazda 6 last year.At the front, sleek headlights are mixed with deep air intakes and a low splitter. In profile, there’s the trademark angled C-pillar, but it’s joined by a waistline that kicks up over the back door. Together with a chunky rear bumper and a steeply angled tailgate, this creates an aggressive look. Inside, the Mazda has new, improved materials and a dashboard that copies its counterpart in the 6, complete with steering wheel-mounted controls for the stereo and ventilation systems.The next 3 will use the longer platform from the forthcoming third-generation Focus, due in 2010, and so will offer more interior space than before. Other benefits include increased refinement and excellent handling.Drivers anticipate a wide range of engines to be made available, including a new stop and start model, which Auto Express drove in prototype form last week.

Nissan 370Z

Due to be revealed at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, the car will replace the Japanese firm’s popular 350Z later next year.
Though the car’s official specification has yet to be revealed Auto Express can confirm that the newcomer will offer a welcome performance boost thanks to its 3.7-litre V6 engine.
With around 325bhp on tap – up from 309bp – the car will also offer a semi automatic gearbox and improved rear-wheel-drive chassis.
Prices are expected to rise slightly, meaning entry level models will be available from around £28,500.