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Toyota Auris Hybrid emissions cut to 84g/km

We’ve long believed that car makers better serve their customers by offering ‘Green’ options as add-ons to regular car models, and adding the hybrid option from the Prius to the Auris has seen Auris sales climb steeply whilst Prius sales drop off. There’s only so many buyers who want to shout their green halo from the rooftops, so incorporating green technologies in the regular range opens up far more possibilities for a sale. Now, with the Auris Hybrid sales growing by 69 per cent year on year in the UK, Toyota has had a play to make the Auris Hybrid even more efficient.

BMW Vision Future Luxury at 2014 Beijing Motor Show hints at new 9 Series

BMW unveiled its latest concept on Easter Sunday, which could signal an all-new 9 Series model to top its range. The four-seater concept – called Vision Future Luxury – was revealed at the Beijing Motor Show, but MSN Cars got a sneak preview of the car back in Munich, Germany in early April 2014 and spoke to its key designers to bring you this ‘inside track’ report. The big news is that this Vision Future Luxury concept could herald the introduction of an ultra-luxurious BMW four-door model above the 7 Series, and thus also logically mean that a new 8 Series coupe and possibly 8 Series Gran Coupe could fit in-between.  Please click on the photo above to see the rest of the BMW Vision Future Luxury gallery

Hamilton tops the time sheets as F1 season kicks off

LEWIS HAMILTON recovered from the misery of completing just half a lap on his opening run to move to the top of the timesheets on the first official day of the new Formula One season. Less than five minutes into the year's first practice session at Melbourne's Albert Park, and on his maiden installation lap, Hamilton's Mercedes ground to a halt due to a sensor calibration problem that cut out the power unit. That was it for Hamilton until the start of second free practice, when he more than made up for lost time and underlined his status as championship favourite in the wake of Mercedes' impressive form in pre-season testing.