Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept revealed ahead of Paris debut

Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept revealed ahead of Paris debut It looks like Kia is ready to push the start button on a new range of mild hybrids with the reveal of the Kia Optima T-Hybrid concept ahead of its debut later this week at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. The new mild hybrid powertrain isn’t going to make an enormous difference to power or economy, but in a world where taxation gets based on official CO2 figures it will make the Optima more appealing to company car buyers. The Optima hybrid gets the normal 1.7 litre diesel engine and adds a small electric motor powered by a 48V lead-carbon battery which will be enough for short running at low speeds on electric power alone or allow some electric ‘cruising’ on motorways.

SkyTran to trial maglev two-seater transport system in Israel

California-based skyTran has signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to build a test version of its patented maglev transport network.  The 500 meter-long demonstrator will begin operation late next year, and is designed to prove the system's potential for reducing road congestion by lifting passengers above the highway, into space that's not currently utilized. The skyTran system is a network of computer-controlled, two-person vehicles that use maglev technology. Users will request one of the system's two-seater pods to the nearest available station using a smartphone app.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV (2011) electric car to cost £39,000

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 24 March 2010 09:46 We always knew electric cars would be pricey, but we were slightly taken aback by the cost of the new Mitsubishi i-MiEV coming to the UK in January 2011: it's going to cost £38,699. The i-MiEV will be one of the first battery cars on sale here, as opposed to the small-scale lease projects such as the Mini E, and will arrive around the same time as the Nissan Leaf EV. Help is at hand to trim that £39k on-the-road price tag.