New BMW voice control system

BMW are fitting a new voice control system to their cars from September Hopefully this will work. My own experience of voice control systems is not great – I usually end up doing it manually through the interface. But with BMW’s pretty complicated iDrive system it will be a big plus, and safer, to speak your commands.

International Engine of the Year Awards to focus on fuel efficiency

Like the Oscars of the Otto cycle, the Grammys of gasoline, the International Engine of the Year Awards are a big deal in the industry. For 2013, the awards will continue to focus on green technology, pitting gasoline, compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid and all-electric powerplants against each other for the title of "international engine of the year." Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine took top honors last year. Besides the top award, other categories include best green engine, best new engine and best performance engine, each voted on by journalists from around the world.

Qoros GQ3: Chinese rival for the Ford Focus revealed

The first of a new range of cars from the Chinese Qoros brand – the Qoros GQ3 – has been revealed ahead of a debut at Geneva 2013. Three months ahead of that reveal Qoros has jumped in with a reveal of their first offering and some details about what it has on offer. Unsurprisingly, the reality is somewhat less exciting to look at than the dynamic-looking teaser image we saw last month. Planned to go on sale in both China and Europe during 2013 the Qoros GQ3 is aimed at young buyers, although why any car company would build a C-Segment saloon and expect young buyers to lap it up in Europe is beyond us.