Ah, to be in Paris . . .

Well, I'm bummed. The Paris motor show press days are next week, and I'm not going. That's right; while my colleagues are cavorting in one of the world's great cities, I'll be here in the Paris of the Midwest, holding down the proverbial fort.

Toyota RAV4 EV (2012) - a Toyota/Tesla electric SUV

The Toyota RAV4 has been turned into the only all-electric SUV on the market after a heart transplant from Tesla Motors.  The RAV4 EV has been given batteries and drivetrain bits from the Silicon Valley start-up to turn Toyota's most popular SUV into an electric-only vehicle with a 100-mile range. Toyota RAV4 EV: how it works A massive 422kg of batteries provide the power for the RAV4 EV, mounted low down in the centre of the vehicle to improve weight distribution. Toyota says that despite the new powertrain, no compromises have been made on passenger space.  Two driving modes offer a choice of speed or economy, Normal and Sport. Normal will send the RAV4 from 0-60mph in 8.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 85mph; Sport mode will take you there in 7.0sec and up to 100mph.

Nissan Pivo 2 concept

Nissan has released details of a new Pivo 2, an advanced electric concept car that will debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Building on the popularity of the first Pivo, shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, the latest concept will be powered by compact Lithium-ion batteries and features a unique rotating cabin. Where the first Pivo, with its fully rotating cabin design, made reversing obsolete, the Pivo 2 takes that easy mobility concept to a new level.