(Another) Audi A3 e-tron hybrid at Geneva 2013

The Audi A3 e-tron – a hybrid A3 EV based on the A3 Sportback – will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show as a concept. This Audi A3 e-tron isn’t a pointless electric supercar – like the R8 e-tron – or another rollout of the A3 e-tron BEV, but a hybrid A3 with a proper ICE engine coupled to an electric motor, just like the A3 e-tron concept we saw in Shanghai in 2011 That still means a lot of complicated and heavy technology to game the silly official economy tests and come up with ‘official’ economy figures of 158mpg and 35g/km, but the A3 e-tron would – if it were made – offer big tax breaks for company car drivers. The A3 e-tron gets a 1.4 litre direct injection petrol engine good for 148bhp working with an electric motor good for an extra 100bhp.

Renault Twin'Run concept

The Renault Twin'Run concept, unveiled during the weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, is the sibling of the Twin'Z collaboration with Ross Lovegrove. Together they fulfill the ‘Play' stage of Renault's ongoing concept car lifecycle. While its overall form is very similar to the Twin'Z's (apologies for awkward punctuation on Renault's behalf), previewing the next-generation, rear-engined Twingo, the ‘Run is altogether racier than the more pragmatic – if no less flamboyant – ‘Z.

2014 Hyundai Elantra, Tucson FCEV and a new Nu engine at the LA Auto Show

Hyundai made a boatload of news at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday. The Korean company unveiled the redesigned 2014 Elantra coupe, sedan and GT, the Veloster R-Spec hatchback and some interesting info on its upcoming fuel-cell program. The biggest news is Hyundai's revamped 2.0-liter Nu engine that now makes 173 hp, instead of 145 hp, and 154 lb-ft of torque, as opposed to the 130 of the old engine.