2003 Ford Explorer Automatic Transmission 4x4 2606502 on 2040-parts.com

Audi's new Quattro to be an Evoque-style crossover

There’s more disappointment afoot for fans of Audi concept cars. After previous admissions that Ingolstadt wouldn’t build the R8 V12 TDi or an electric successor to the A2, CAR can now reveal that a production version of the Quattro concept first seen at the 2012 Paris motor show has also been canned. However, a high performance Quattro-inspired coupe could still see the light of day, in the form of a Range Rover Evoque-style crossover, CAR understands.

BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive revealed. It’s a plug-in Hybrid X5

The BMW Concept5 X5 eDrive (pictured) will debut at Frankfurt The arrival of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next month doesn’t preview and immediate addition to the X5 range of a plug-in hybrid, but it does show what will be on offer in a year or two. Just like yesterday’s Mercedes S500 plug-in hybrid, the X5 eDrive is another example of how car makers have developed their way round CO2 taxation levels by throwing electric motors at ICE engines to create a car that offers impressive emissions and economy on official tests. In the case of the X5 eDrive that means a four-cylinder twin power ICE engine (BMW aren’t saying, but we’re assuming its a petrol engine), a 94bhp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery under the boot all working together to produce an X5 that is capable (at least in official tests, which is all that matters) of 74.3mpg and emissions under 90g/km.

BMW Z4 (2009): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 13 December 2008 23:00 After the leaked Z4 photos last week, today we finally see the first official photos of the new BMW Z4. The 2009-spec Z4 gains a folding hard top and offers a softened design language over the flamboyant banana curves and arcs of today’s roadster. Think of a bar of a soap that’s been through some palm duties and you get the idea.