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Driven: BMW i8

When BMW unveiled the Vision EfficientDynamics concept at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, we wrote: "for our money, it's the first time a major carmaker has really attempted to communicate ‘green' technology in an aesthetic sense." Fast-forward five years and we've swapped the show halls of the IAA for a beauty spot on the north-west coast of Scotland. And, while the car's name has changed to i8, our sentiment towards this genre- and era-defining car remains. Admittedly the production car's design execution hasn't received the universal praise of its concept forebears, but, on a remote outpost of the British Isles, a Protonic Blue i8 couldn't look more exotic.

Mercedes C-class to get expanded lineup

Mercedes-Benz will add convertible, diesel- and hybrid-powered sedans to its C-class lineup after the car is redesigned next year. The current C-class is offered only as a sedan and coupe and only with gasoline engines. The rival BWM 3-series is sold in coupe, convertible, station wagon, diesel and hybrid versions.

Mazda RX-8 gets an update – in Japan

Mazda has updated the RX-8 in Japan with new colours and extra equipment [ad#ad-1] Well, it does make sense to update your cars in your home market first, so the updates to the Mazda RX-8 for the Japanese market announced today are almost certain to come to UK cars before long. Just like the updates Mazda made to the MX-5 in Japan were followed by updates to the Mazda MX-5 UK spec car shortly after. Despite the fact that the Mazda RX-8 is not the best-selling car in the world, it does have an awful lot going for it.