Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid due in 2012
Car TechGood news, nature fanboys. Volvo's uber-frugal, 150mpg V60 Plug-in Hybrid just took a step closer to reality. A limited production run of 1,000 vehicles will go on sale in November 2012.
Volvo has confirmed the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will sell for between £45,000 and £50,000 in the UK. Assuming the government's plug-in car grant is still available and the car qualifies for it, that price will reduce by a further £5,000. Continue reading...
BBC maps all UK car crashes since 1999
Car TechEver wondered how many car crashes occur in the UK? No, probably not. And if you have, you've probably guessed the number was somewhere north of 'quite a few' and moved on with your life. That's how we roll.
The bods at the BBC roll in a very different way. Not only have they questioned just how many road traffic accidents occur on UK streets, they've channelled their warped curiosity into creating a visual illustration of all serious crashes (ie those that have resulted in injury) since 1999. Continue reading...
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Airless puncture-proof tyre concept developed by Bridgestone
Car TechFor all the millions of pounds tyre manufacturers invest in new tyre technologies, they all have the same crucial flaw -- run over something sharp and they're rendered pretty much useless.
So tyre maker Bridgestone is busy developing a new non-pneumatic, or airless, concept tyre that it says will be completely resistant to punctures, AllCarTech reports. Continue reading...
Top 5 insane concept cars from the Tokyo Motor Show 
Where would you find a four-wheeled smart phone, a tiny futuristic tank and a robotic mobility scooter straight from the pages of a manga comic?
That's right -- the Tokyo Motor Show. We're looking East as we cast a wry eye on some of the most outlandish concept cars ever devised. Continue reading...
Electronic stability control now compulsory on new EU cars
Car TechAll new car models launched from now on will have to be fitted with electronic stability control (ESC) as part of new European safety regulations. The technology, which prevents skidding during sudden manoeuvres, will become mandatory for existing model ranges in Europe from 31 October 2014. You may clap.
We're pretty ecstatic about this news, as electronic stability control, or electronic stability program (ESP) as it's known in some vehicles -- it also goes by other names -- is probably the greatest automotive invention since the cup holder. Continue reading...
Jaguar XF Sportbrake tries to break curse of the ugly estate
Car Tech
Earlier this year, we got into an argument after-dinner debate with legendary Jaguar designer Ian Callum. Over a few shandies, we told him we could count the number of good-looking estate cars on the fingers of a sloth -- and that not even he could design one.
Callum, never one to back down, insisted that with his magic touch it was possible to build an attractive wagon. Dubious, we challenged him with a simple, "Go on then," confident in the assumption Callum would never try for fear of failure. We were wrong. Continue reading...
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Mazda i-ELOOP regenerative braking boosts petrol efficiency
Car TechWho said regenerative braking systems were just for electric cars? Certainly not Mazda. The Japanese carmaker's cooked up a new regen system it reckons can improve fuel economy in petrol cars by around 10 per cent.
The system, known as i-ELOOP, works in a similar way to the regenerative braking systems commonly found in cars such as the Nissan Leaf. It converts a car's kinetic energy into electricity as it decelerates before using this electricity to power the climate control, audio system and other electrical components inside the vehicle. Continue reading...
Government to pull plug on electric car grant?
Car TechElectric car take-up in Britain is lower than a badger's back passage. It's so low, in fact, there's now mounting speculation the government will scrap the plug-in car grant that was originally intended to boost EV sales.
The scheme, introduced in January 2011, gave buyers a £5,000 discount off the purchase price of a new electric car. Just 768 vehicles were sold under this grant in the first three quarters of 2011, however, which is miles short of the government's incentive cap of 8,000. Continue reading...
Samsung Galaxy Nexus won't play in-car USB audio
Car TechThe Samsung Galaxy Nexus can't catch a break at the moment. Earlier this week, the Ice Cream Sandwich-packing superphone was revealed to have a very annoying volume bug, and today we've discovered it doesn't allow you to play USB audio over your car speakers. WTH?
It's all down to the fact the Galaxy Nexus doesn't support USB Mass Storage (UMS), so it can't function in quite the same way as a USB thumb drive, as many phones can. This leaves you with just three options for playing in-car music -- purchasing a clunky auxiliary cable, connecting via the highly compressed, battery-draining magic of Bluetooth A2DP streaming, or buying a different phone. Continue reading...
Six best crime fighting cars from the world of TV
Car TechCracking news, TV cop show fans: a big-screen version of cult British policer The Sweeney is due to roll into cinemas in 2012. Better news: its stars have ditched the rickety old Consul GT, Cortina and Granadas favoured by their 70s counterparts in favour of a spangly new Ford Focus ST.
That's a definite improvement on the pensioner-wagons they drove back in the decade style forgot, but how does the Focus ST stack up against other vehicles favoured by rival TV cop shows? We dusted off our VHS collection, fired up the Teasmade and took a nostalgic meander through yesteryear's finest TV-based crime-fighting vehicles to find out. Continue reading...
Five electric cars that will change the world in 2012
Car TechThere are plenty of hugely interesting electric cars on the road today -- our list of the finest 10 we've encountered is testament to that. But come 2012, every single one of them will be made to look like Fred Flintstone's foot-powered rock-mobile by a new generation of electric vehicles (EVs).
Once 2011 crawls its sorry backside to the confines of history, we'll bear witness to a wealth of incredible electric cars that are more efficient, affordable and fun than their predecessors. Continue reading...
Top five tech cars of 2011
Car TechAutomotive technology is moving at a pace quick enough to make your ears pop. Our roads are now full to bursting with cars that brake by themselves, park by themselves, drive by themselves and even talk among themselves.
The rate of progress has been phenomenal, to say the least, but not all cars are created equal. Here at CNET UK, we've witnessed first-hand the development of car tech over the years, and are therefore well-equipped to bring you a list of the vehicles that have shot onto the scene in 2011 sporting most impressive technology. Continue reading...
Porsche Panamera GTS promises pure driving kicks 
Car TechPorsche absolutely loves building new versions of its Panamera. There are now a whopping nine iterations of its bonkers four-door supercar, the latest of which is a new driver-oriented GTS model.
Porsche says the GTS is the 'purest' member of the Panamera family. It has most in common with the mid-range Panamera 4S, but features upgraded brakes, lowered suspension and a V8 engine that delivers more power than any non-turbocharged Panamera. Continue reading...
Jaguar XKR-S Convertible pics show off powerful drop-top Jag
Car TechLooks like summer has come early for sun-loving Jaguar fans. The legendary British marque has clawed the roof off its XKR-S to create what it promises is its most powerful drop-top ever.
The soft top, we think you'll agree, adds an extra layer of sexiness to a car that was already pretty gorgeous. It opens and folds away in 18 seconds, which is just quick enough to help prevent a soaking during sudden downpours, but just slow enough to attract the jealous ire of passersby. Continue reading...
Ford Fiesta ST Concept is a rally-inspired cutie
Car TechWe've always had a soft spot for souped-up Ford Fiestas. Our love affair started back in the early 80s with the XR2, reached fever pitch with the fuel-injected XR2i and sort of fizzled out with the slightly underwhelming 2008 Fiesta ST.
Sadly, we've not had much to shout about in the years since those rusted away, but Ford may be about to ignite that old flame with a new Fiesta ST concept, which has been doing the rounds at the 2011 LA Autoshow. Continue reading...
Jaguar XJ Speed and Sport upgrade top speed to 174mph
Car TechThere aren't many ways to improve a Jaguar XJ. It's beautiful, fabulous to drive and -- in the case of the Supersport version -- even has a purple velvet glove box. What more do you want?
Oh, you wish it was faster, more aggressive-looking and had a better interior? Well you just so happen to be in luck, thanks to Jaguar's new Sport and Speed upgrade packs. Continue reading...
Audi A1 e-tron range-extended vehicle to begin trials
Car TechAudi has been talking the electric car talk for years now, churning out concept after battery-powered concept like nobody's business. Now, however, it's begun walking the walk with a fleet test of its A1 e-tron range-extended electric supermini.
Twenty examples of the A1 e-tron will trundle around the streets of Munich. The project is intended to measure how well the part electric, part petrol-powered vehicle copes with life on roads designed primarily for cars powered by old dinosaur bones. Continue reading...
Wireless electric car charging coming to London
Car TechKiss goodbye to your cables, people -- wireless electric car charging is set to become a reality in London.
Mobile giant Qualcomm has teamed up with team Boris and Transport for London to roll out the first wireless electric vehicle charging trials in L-Town by early 2012. Continue reading...
Tesla posts heavy losses, blames Top Gear
Car TechTesla Motors, the achingly cool electric car company responsible for the brilliant Roadster, is unfortunately leaking more money than a rapper at a strip club -- and apparently Jeremy Clarkson is to blame.
Tesla Motors reported losses of $65m in the third quarter alone, the Detroit News reports, which isn't exactly ideal, seeing as the company's total turnover is just $200m. Continue reading...
Five best cars you're craving
We love getting the best cars, full of the most frighteningly complicated technology delivered to our office so the supreme being that is Rory Reid can tell us all about why they're so great.
Of course, he doesn't know everything -- even if he claims to -- which is why we ask for your feedback on each review, with the 'Own it', 'Want it' and 'Not for me' buttons. Continue reading...
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