BMW Concept ActiveE at Detroit motor show 2010

BMW has unveiled this rolling testbed for its electric car strategy - the new Concept ActiveE - at the 2010 Detroit motor show. It's a fully electric BMW and a hint of what's to come through the long-range visionary Project i plan which will reshape BMWs for the 21st century.No prizes for guessing it's based on an existing BMW production car, the 1-series Coupé. But the hardware underneath is designed to percolate across the lower echelons of the BMW range, starting with some exciting new bespoke electric cars.The ActiveE is the first fully electric BMW and follows in the treadmarks of the Mini E. Like the Mini, this battery BM will be used as a pilot test programme where it will be driven by selected private and fleet motorists.BMW ActiveE concept: how it worksThis is a rear-drive BMW with the internal combustion engine ditched in a Munich scrapheap.

Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost sets 16 world speed records

The new Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost has set 16 world speed records in two days of testing at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine. Who’d have thought that a little 3-cylinder engine in a Ford Focus could ever be an appealing prospect? But it’s become very clear that Ford’s little boosted 3-pot is quite the star and, for almost anyone who does a normal mileage, by far the choice over a diesel-engined Focus.

Seat Mii (2012): the Spanish VW Up city car

We’ve seen the German and Czech versions of the Volkswagen Up – and today it’s the turn of the Spanish to showcase their new Seat Mii. The Mii is the new city car for VW’s Mediterranean outpost, and launches Seat back into a segment it deserted when the Arosa walked off choice lists. Seat Mii (2012): the lowdown Seat will launch the Mii in the Spanish market in winter 2011, but UK buyers will have to wait until spring 2012 before they can order the city car.