New SEAT Ibiza Cupra: Beijing 2012

2012 SEAT Ibiza Cupra The new 2012 SEAT Ibiza Cupra – called a concept but heading for showrooms – debuts at the Beijing Motor Show. SEAT are calling the Ibiza Cupra they’ve debuted at the Beijing Motor Show a Concept, but it’s not really a concept or a new Ibiza Cupra – it’s just the Ibiza Cupra with the updates the rest of the Ibiza has had for 2012. That means a bit of a nose job with glitzy new headlights with LEDs, new grill and big air vents, a revised bumper at the back with tweaks to the lights and some new alloys.

NY Times reporter says he followed Tesla's advice

A New York Times reporter says he was following the advice of Tesla employees when he drove an electric Model S sedan beyond its indicated range in an effort to reach a recharging station. Responding to a blog post by Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk highly critical of his original article, Times reporter John Broder on Thursday said he did not set out to sabotage the test drive -- refuting one of Musk's most-damning points. Broder also refutes Musk's claim that he drove the car around a parking lot in a deliberate attempt to fully discharge the battery -- Broder says he was looking for the recharge station in a poorly lighted rest stop at night.

GM expands advanced-vehicle-technology center in California

General Motors unveiled a new technical center dedicated to the development, maintenance and testing of alternative-energy vehicles last week in Torrance, Calif. The company has had local digs for years but recently leased the building next to its existing Advanced Technology Center for an alternative-energy research facility. It now employs a dozen scientists, technicians and engineers to advance the electrification of GM vehicles.