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New Lexus GS 300h costs from £31,440

The New Lexus GS 300h (pictured) will cost from £31,440 in the UK Lexus revealed a second hybrid version of the GS at Shanghai in the spring – the Lexus GS 300h – which offers better economy and lower running costs, especially for company car drivers, and it’s now on sale in the UK. Lexus has introduced a new entry-level SE spec for the GS 300h to make its headline price even more attractive, but the GS 300h SE still gets 17″ alloys, DAB, DVD, Cruise, push-button start, parking sensors, xenons and electric, heated front seats. Other trim levels are Luxury, F Sport and Premier – as on the rest of the GS range – which you’ll need to dig in to if you want stuff like leather and SatNav, but opting for the base trim isn’t too hairshirt and will save you a few bob if you have BIK to pay.

VW E-Bugster convertible concept car at 2012 Beijing motor show

Volkswagen, one of the biggest players in China's swelling car market, chose Beijing to unveil its latest E-Bugster - a good look at the forthcoming convertible version of the Beetle. We saw the E-Bugster in tin-top form at the 2012 Detroit auto show; now they've gone and chopped the top fully for Beijing. It's a two-seater speedster version of the Beetle hatch, driven by an 85kW electric drive system; essentially, the powertrain of this car is what will underpin the 2013 Blue-e-motion electric Golf.

Electric vehicles promoted

THE SCOTTISH Government is teaming up with industry leaders and environmental campaigners in a new drive to get more electric cars on the roads. Transport Minister Keith Brown has launched the E-Cosse partnership which brings together government body Transport Scotland with car manufacturers, power companies, local councils and environmental charity WWF Scotland. Mr Brown said the new group would "develop a shared vision and set future priorities to promote the uptake of electric vehicles in Scotland".