1987 35hp Mercury Outboard Lower Gear Unit on 2040-parts.com

Seven automakers agree on standardized fast-charge system for EVs

Seven automakers have agreed to use a common single-port fast-charging system for electric cars in the United States and Europe. The goal is to reduce development costs and make it easier for consumers to adopt electric vehicles. Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen will use identical charge plugs and the same system for communication between the charger and the car in their electric vehicles.

China’s Hong Qi State Limo twice the price of RR Ghost

FAW's Hong Qi Limo - a snip at £720k It would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, but this week China has seen the reveal of two cars that would stretch even the finances of a Western plutocrat. The Hong Qi State Limo is a behemoth of a car designed to ferry China’s elite in safety and comfort. It was used in China’s recent 2009 ‘Review of the Troops’ to chauffeur Chairman Hu.

Infiniti Emerg-E: Geneva 2012

Infiniti Emerg-E arrives at Geneva The Infiniti Emerg-E has been revealed at Geneva 2012 with 402bhp from a pair of electric motors and a range-extender engine. The Infiniti Emerg-E, which has been revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show, looks to be a properly promising supercar from Infiniti, and utilises the expensive range-extender technology to produce a stunning-looking car with proper performance potential. Power for the Emerg-E comes from a pair of electric motors powering the back wheels with a combined output of 402bhp and is capable, say Infiniti, of up to 300 miles between charge thanks to its 1.2 litre 3-pot range extending engine (which comes from Lotus) and up to 30 miles on EV power.