WATCH THE AUDI E-TRON IN ACTION

Audi has confirmed that it will launch the all-electric R8 e-tron in 2012. Should this happen it will be the first of the Germans to go to market with a super car that runs purely on electricity. Of course we don’t yet know when Mercedes-Benz will launch the SLS AMG E-Cell and BMW’s confirmed EfficientDynamics is not a full-on electric car but a hybrid, so it doesn’t count.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE 5-DOOR SHOWN

Even before the launch of the new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, its maker is already showcasing a second derivative of the new Evoque name. Also called the Evoque, the addition to the range will be a 5-door model, which I think really takes the shine out of the whole unique Evoque thunder.

LUPINIPOWER REVEALS OWN FIESTA ST

LupiniPower is now in full business. This according to the founder of this burgeoning tuning house Michele (pronounced Me-kelly) Lupini. A previous story related how Lupini had taken a stock Chevrolet Ute and turned it into a super car slayer using a few technical tricks such as a supercharger. That car has become the poster boy of LupiniPower; it is said to run from 0 – 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds (about as quick as a Jaguar XFR) and still handle as well as the stock car.

HONDA CR-Z IS JAPAN CAR OF THE YEAR

Honda Motor announced that the CR-Z, a hybrid vehicle, has been awarded the Car of the Year Japan 2010-2011 by the Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee. The sporty CR-Z hybrid brings together a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda's original Integrated Motor Assist system into a progressive and dynamic design that fuses agile, exhilarating driving with outstanding fuel efficiency of 4 litres per 100km.
 

ILLEGAL DRAGSTERS CONDEMNED

Following an accident in Pretoria on Monday when a 4-month old baby was flung from a car by the impact of a crash during an illegal drag race, Motorsport South Africa (MSA), the controlling body of all forms of motorsport in the country, once again condemned illegal racing and unsanctioned motorsport events.
 

OFFICIAL: MERCEDES-BENZ CLS SHOOTING BRAKE COMES IN 2012

Official confirmation has been documented regarding the launch of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake, which is based on this CLS Shooting Brake Concept that you see here. Merc bosses say the overwhelming response the new CLS is receiving, as well as what people said about the Concept, were enough to get them thinking seriously about production.

CHECK OUT ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA IN MZANSI

Alfa Romeo of South Africa will soon be launching the all-new Giulietta to the Mzansi market. Giulietta is said to be the most complete Alfa ever built and harks back to Alfas of old (but without the annoying “quirks”). As a teaser for the public the car will be on display at the Melrose Arch Piazza from the 18^th to the 21^st of November. You can hop on over there, take a closer look at the car that’s aimed directly at the BMW 1 Series hatch, Audi A3 and VW Golf 6.

TOYOTA AT SEMA 2010

It may be Las Vegas, but all bets are off when America’s top custom car design teams are commissioned to create stand-out show machines for SEMA, the USA’s number one trade show for the specialist auto parts industry. Toyota seized the opportunity to parade beefed-up race and rally versions of Yaris and Urban Cruiser and a street-mean interpretation of Prius at the show, which ended on Friday.

ON THE ROAD: BMW X5 M

Why so subtle?

Good question. I guess lately BMW is all about being subtle. M buffs will probably point out a few pieces of kit found only in the X5/ X6 M, such as a new front spoiler, sportier air ducts, side skirts, that M badge on the sides, a different rear bumper and of course those four tailpipes. But put it next to its chief rivals and you’ll see how understated it actually is, especially against the ML 63 AMG and the SRT-8. Those puny 20-inch wheels don’t help the cause either.