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Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept revealed ahead of Paris debut

Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept revealed ahead of Paris debut It looks like Kia is ready to push the start button on a new range of mild hybrids with the reveal of the Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept ahead of its debut later this week at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The new mild hybrid powertrain isn’t going to make an enormous difference to power or economy, but in a world where taxation gets based on official CO2 figures it will make the Optima more appealing to company car buyers. The Optima hybrid gets the normal 1.7 litre diesel engine and adds a small electric motor powered by a 48V lead-carbon battery which will be enough for short running at low speeds on electric power alone or allow some electric ‘cruising’ on motorways.

Silver linings: Saab and Mitsubishi see sales grow in May

Despite the company’s financial troubles, Saab sales are steadily increasing in 2011, with April and May numbers up 190 percent and 121 percent, respectively, from the same months last year. The Swedish automaker reported 385 units sold this May, versus 155 the year prior. So far this year, Saab has sold 2,765 vehicles, compared with 954 at the same point last year.

Jaguar C-X75 concept

We waited with baited breath to see what the Jaguar design team had in store at the Paris motor show this year, and we weren't disappointed with the resulting showcar. Created by a team led by Matthew Beaven, Principal Designer at Jaguar Advanced Design, the C-X75 is both a celebration of Jaguar's 75 year history and a design showcase for the company's hybrid turbine technology. Read more about our opinion of the design in our 2010 Paris Motor Show Highlights and see the extensive compilation of images – including sketches and studio shots – in the photo gallery below.