A round-up of today's other stories in brief
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On this week’s Motors podcast, we get a first drive in the new Mercedes CLS, Ben Oliver reports on his time behind the wheel of the latest Bugatti and Renault Ireland boss Eric Basset explains the firm’s plans for leasing batteries on its upcoming electric cars. irishtimes.com/motors/podcast
On the blog this week you can read our first impressions on the CLS and follow Paddy Comyn on a week driving a cornucopia of cars, from the new Nissan Jazz to the Audi A1. irishtimes.com/motors
Lexus still hatching
As Lexus awaits the Irish introduction of its first foray into the hatchback market with its new CT200h, Mercedes is busy re-inventing its A-Class model, with plans to revolutionise the offering and move away from the current MPV-like styling. The new model, expected to be unveiled in 2012, will be a proper hatchback rival to the likes of the VW Golf. It’s also likely to boast a performance version, a coupe and even a convertible, with plans to finally give the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi’s A3 some serious competition.
Volvo goes for weight-loss regime for electric and hybrid vehicles
VOLVO IS working on turning body panels into rechargeable battery units in an effort to reduce the weight of future hybrid and electric vehicles.
The work, being carried out in conjunction with several other non-car firms at the Imperial College in London, involves storing energy in new panels made from a blend of carbon fibres and polymer resin.
Batteries are a major weight problem for electric cars and it’s hoped that using the body panels to store energy will reduce weight by up to 15 per cent and thereby improve power and efficiency.
“Our role is to contribute expertise on how this technology can be integrated in the future and to input ideas about the advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost and user-friendliness,” says Per-Ivar Sellergren, development engineer at the Volvo Cars Materials Centre.