Control Arm, Left Side (driver), Suspension Arm, Upper Control on 2040-parts.com

Toyota Prius Plug-In is practically perfect in London

Toyota Prius Plug-in - perfect London transport We though we ought to do Toyota the courtesy of a non-disparaging headline after the first interim results of trials of the Prius Plug-in in the hands of drivers in London have turned out to be very positive. Toyota and EDF Energy have supplied – on lease – 20 plug-in hybrids (PHEV) to London businesses and organisations (no Joe Public on this trial) to get some real-world feedback on usage, journey distance and recharging patterns. For those of you who don’t remember, the Toyota Prius Plug-in is a regular 3rd Gen Prius but with a length of flex and a set of lithium-ion batteries that allows users to grab some charge from the mains and to drive further in EV mode – up to 12.5 miles in perfect conditions.

Audi A4 Allroad quattro ready to roll

The Audi A4 Allroad quattro - launches at Geneva in March [ad#ad-1] It looks like Geneva is going to be more of a highlight than the recent Detroit Motor Show, which turned in to something of a sombre occasion. No surprise really, considering the US auto industry is in the worst shape of any in the world (been there, done that – remember BL in the ’70s?). But Europe, despite the current economic woes, makes the best cars in the world, and is going to be out in force in March.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is a good looking Panamera: Paris 2012

Porsche has revealed their estate / shooting brake take on the Panamera – the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo – and it looks good. No longer does the Panamera have a dog shagging back end, it’s now sleek and swooping. The front end gets a slicker makeover too – which probably gives us a taste of the Panamera facelift to come – and the whole car looks cohesive and appealing.