BMW 0 Series revealed? +video

Is this the BMW 0 Series? If BMW are going to go further downmarket in their quest for more sales – which we know they are with their plans for front wheel drive BMWs – then short of a sub-brand marque (entirely possible some will wear the Isetta or i-setta badge) then the only number we have to play with is a big, fat 0. It seems daft to give a BMW a leading 0 and its own series, but it certainly looks to be under consideration.

Hyundai Suicide ‘Advert’ causes a rumpus

It’s not easy advertising your wares and finding the right balance between mainstream and innovative to capture attention, as Hyundai has found out to their cost with an ‘advert’ for the hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV which, rather distastefully, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cabin before realising he can’t achieve his aim as the FCEV’s only emissions are water. It’s a proper cock-up from Hyundai – usually so sure-footed with their PR – but, despite Hyundai US putting the blame at the door of Hyundai UK, there’s more to this suicide ‘advert’ than meets the eye. It seems the suicide video was put together by Innocean – a European Ad Agency owned by Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo and his daughter, and responsible for much of Hyundai’s marketing output – and was a clumsy attempt to gauge reaction to the somewhat macabre take on the benefits of an FCEV.

Tesla Roadster: Reports of total battery failure – cost to replace £25k

Batteries on Tesla in danger of complete failure It’s reported that the batteries on the Tesla Roadster are being destroyed if the car is left to completely discharge. Cost to replace is £25k. We’ve long questioned just how reliable batteries in electric cars will be in the long run.