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Car hire costs branded ‘extortionate’

MORE THAN 45% of hire car users described hidden costs such as insurance and fuel as extortionate, according to a new survey. 200 UK consumers aged over 30 and earning more than £20,000 per annum were quizzed for the survey, conducted on behalf of Carhiremarket.com, with over 45% agreeing that hidden costs for insurance and fuel were extortionate. Users cited greater transparency or an all-inclusive upfront price as a more desirable option.

BMW i3 EV WILL get BMW motorcycle engine as range extender

BMW’s head of R&D, Herbert Diess, has confirmed the BMW i3 EV will come with the option of a range extender engine. BMW’s head of R&D, Herbert Diess, has confirmed to Automotive News that when the i3 arrives in BMW showrooms at the end of 2013 it will be offered with a range extending engine as well as a pure EV. The range extender engine will be housed in the boot and is derived from a BMW motorcycle engine, and will turn the i3 from a small EV, useful only in confined city environs with a range of around 40 miles, in to a small runaround that has a range of 250 miles.

Ian Cameron receives Welsh Motoring Writers' Automotive Achievement Award

Former Rolls-Royce chief designer Ian Cameron is the latest recipient of the Welsh Motoring Writers (WMW) Automotive Achievement Award. The award was presented at the WMW annual dinner at HMS Nelson's Wardroom in Portsmouth, UK, by the group's patron and former winner, Land Rover director of design Richard Woolley. "As we celebrate a decade since the launch of Phantom and the establishment of the new home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, it is a most fitting time for Ian to be bestowed with this honor," said James Warren, Rolls-Royce product and corporate communications manager, UK.