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Armadillo-T electric vehicle concept folds up for easy storage

From postwar Packards to Beetles old and New, there are no shortage of cars that vaguely resemble the armadillo. Yet none, so far as we know, have mastered the shelled mammal's impressive vertical leap -- and none possess that oh-so-armadillian trait, the ability to curl up into a little protective ball. Not more than once, anyway.

BMW Concept X5 eDrive hybrid set for Frankfurt motor show

BMW is on a roll when it comes to electric-car technology, and the German automaker will be showing a new X5, dubbed the BMW Concept X5 eDrive, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just a few weeks. The concept uses a four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology coupled with a 95-hp electric motor. This hybrid powerplant is coupled with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

Lexus IS Design contest-winning SEMA show car announced

The winner of the Lexus IS Design contest has been chosen, with their design to be built by VIP Auto Salon for the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Lexus and competition partner and online art community deviantART have revealed the first, second and third place winners, with Rob Evans of Seattle, Washington, taking first place. Second place went to Lucia Lee of Pasadena, California, with Guanghao Huang from Southfield, Michigan third.

BMW builds its first MPV! Official pics of BMW Active Tourer leaked

These leaked pictures reveal the first of a new generation of front-wheel-drive BMWs – the production version of the firm’s 2012 Concept Active Tourer show car. Yes, it’s the first-ever BMW MPV. While instantly recognisable as a descendent of last year’s concept car, the production version of the people carrier seen here features a stubbier nose and reshaped bonnet, as well as losing the show car’s oversized wheels and complex wing mirrors.

2014 Jaguar XJ updates announced

The 2014 Jaguar XJ (pictured) gets a number of updates Updates come along every year for cars as manufacturers look to keep up with the competition. But the updates for the 2014 Jaguar XJ are perhaps more relevant this year with the arrival of the new Mercedes S-Class, as Jaguar try to keep the now ageing XJ an attractive offering. But Jaguar have concentrated more on the feel than the look of the XJ with its 2014 upgrades, so there are no real cosmetic differences.

2015 Audi A8, A8L and S8 unveiled ahead of Frankfurt Motor Show debut

At the upcoming Frankfurt motor show, Audi will announce a new A8 with more powerful engines, lighter-weight construction, new assistance systems and Matrix LED headlight technology. Audi says the new A8 will put the German automaker among the innovation leaders in the luxury class. It cites as an example the short-wheelbase A8 3.0-liter TFSI's 4,034-pound curb weight, best in class for all-wheel-drive models.

BMW Concept X5 eDrive (2013) plug-in hybrid at Frankfurt motor show

Sharing the stage with the BMW i3 at the Frankfurt motor show is the BMW Concept X5 eDrive. The plug-in hybrid X5 is set to re-write the SUV rulebook with its four-cylinder petrol-electric drivetrain producing claimed figures of less than 90g/km of CO2 and a tree-hugging 74.3mpg, smashing the Lexus RX450h which produces 145g/km and 44.8mpg. What’s more, it’s better than the most efficient 3-series currently on sale, and far more frugal than the V8-powered BMW X6 Active Hybrid that was axed in late 2011.

Gordon Murray city car to be built

It seems the Gordon Murray Design T25 and T27 city cars are heading for production and could be on sale as early as 2016. According to Gordon Murray himself, writing on the company’s website, the concept for both the T25 and T27 has now been sold to a customer. The i-Stream manufacturing process is also being taken on by a selection of clients, it seems.

BMW concept X5 eDrive hybrid to debut at 2013 Frankfurt Show

BMW has released details of a new ultra-efficient prototype version of its X5 off-roader. Called the concept X5 eDrive, the plug-in hybrid SUV will make its world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. It seems as though Frankfurt 2013 is going to be a battle of the luxury hybrids, with the Mercedes-Benz S500 Plug-in Hybrid and the Range Rover hybrid both making their first appearances in Germany, too.

Skoda number one for customer service

There’s seemingly no end in sight for the rise and continued rise of the Skoda brand. Fresh from the Superb and Yeti being named as the UK’s top two most satisfying cars to own, Skoda has now been named the number one automotive brand for customer service. The company topped the automotive tables in July’s UK Customer Satisfaction Index Summary (UKCSI), produced by the Institute of Customer Service.